Playskool crayons have tested positive for asbestos, the U.S. Public Interest Research Group Education Fund alleges after testing 36 packs of the crayons from Chicago.
Dollar Tree, which sells the crayons, said that independent tests it has done have not shown any asbestos in the crayons, The Washington Post reported. The crayons also are sold online on Amazon, eBay, and DollarDays.com.
“There is no reason to be exposing kids to a known carcinogen, especially in crayons,” U.S. PIRG toxics director Kara Cook-Schultz said, the Post reported.
Playskool parent company Hasbro said it is investigating the claims thoroughly, and manufacturer Leap Year Publishing also is reviewing its testing, according to the Post.
PIRG would like Dollar Tree and Playskool to pull the crayons from store shelves, and encouraged the company to contact customers about the product, KDVR reported.
“We are aware of the report and have since re-verified that each of the listed products successfully passed inspection and testing,” Dollar Tree said in a statement, KDVR reported. “The safety of our customers and associates is our top priority. Our company utilizes a very stringent and independent testing program to ensure our supplier products meet or exceed all safety and legal standards.”
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, exposure to asbestos only takes place when material that contains the substance is disturbed and particles become airborne.
Other brands tested by PIRG did not contain asbestos, including Crayola; Target’s Up & Up; Cra-Z-Art; Disney Junior Mickey and the Roadster Racers; and Roseart, the Post reported.
PIRG’s annual toy safety report has led to more than 150 product recalls and regulation changes over its 30-year existence, including fidget spinners sold at Target last year with lead levels up to 330 times the federal limit.
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