Fun with Asbestos: The CSI Fingerprinting Kit for Kids
by Kenny Luna, North Babylon, NY 
on 12. 3.07
With all of the concern over lead in toys, and the international attention that’s been focused on it, the folks at the Asbestos Disease Awareness Foundation have been quietly testing toys for asbestos. And, intriguingly, they’ve found it in a variety of products including the CSI Fingerprint Examination Kit and two brands of play clay including Art Skills’ Clay Bucket; along with home products such as cleanser, roof sealers and duct tape.
The CSI Fingerprinting Kit has a collection of plastic tools and three types of powders, two of which had high levels of asbestos, which is especially concerning because kids will be touching the powder as they search for fingerprints.
Now according to the manufacturer of the CSI kit, Planet Toys, "The kit has been tested and has met all safety standards requirements as set by toy safety agencies and legislation, including the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The agencies don't require asbestos testing and therefore we have never been apprised of any unacceptable levels of asbestos."
Unfortunately, it's just another reason to be concerned about the safety of toys this holiday season.
See also: Lead Poisoning Next Legal Defense for Murder?
via:: Green Daily
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I like how the company says "Well we followed all the requirements of the government, so why is it our problem?" Oh wait, that's right you have asbestos in the toy you're selling to kids. Personal responsibility is at a concerning minimal level in our society. Many people could care less how they're affecting others as long as they're making their money and not being sued for it. Can people think twice about how their words and actions are affecting the people around them at least every so often please? Selfishness can make money but it sure can't make friends.
This is almost unbelievable. What you're seeing now with all these recalls is the result of deep cuts to the budgets of the FDA and the Consumer Product Safety Commission in order to pay for Bush's War. Once again, the American people come in last.
I don't see anything in here referring us to more details regarding these claims. These tests can trigger all kinds of matches for certain chemicals and the percentage of false alarms is astounding. Until there is conclusive and undeniable proof, websites like this should not post it. This is as bad as all the tabloids spreading "Yes, Britney IS Pregnant" across their front page.
This should have nothing to do with the government. There is no way the government would ever be able to test the millions upon millions of products that enter US ports. Never going to happen. And we know how corrupt the government can easily get so why give them more power?
The solution to this and so many other problems in our society is not "Oh the government should regulate that more and watch over these corporations like they're little children." It's simply called personal responsibility and having respect for the people and the world around you. If we ALL were a little less greedy and selfish everyday we'd be amazed by what would change.
No, Aaron, what you are REALLY seeing is the results of Clinton's U.S.-China Relations Act of 2000. Way to go, Slick Willie!
Well actually it has more to do with the fact that other contries do not have the same laws that the US has and the US companies have chosen to take their labor needes to other contries to have their production cost be cheeper and then the big wigs of those companies make huge amounts of money from the savings of production cost along with many American workers losing their jobs because of the big wigs greedy choices. Then not only do the US workers pay a huge price then our kids pay the price for non sufficent complience to the US regulations and safty laws. Why do we even have those laws if companies can go out of the US to get products produced cheeper???It has to come back to the responsibility of being a good business person and thinking of the whole picture instead of ones own pocket book being full.
I love Treehugger, but I wish you would be more thorough in your reporting. Cite your sources, check your facts, etc.
First up, the organization is the ADAO (not the ADAF). Not relevant, but just sloppy.
Secondly, the company here and several independent test labs were unable to confirm the findings of the ADAO.
I realize there are legitimate safety concerns here, and we should be overly cautious where our children are concerned. But feeding the hysteria with halfway researched stories isn't productive for anyone. There is another side to this, and I wish Treehugger would make the extra effort to illuminate these things more completely. I'm not saying that this product is safe. I'm just saying that there's a possibility the ADAO got it wrong on this one.
I actually got one of these as a gift for Christmas. By some odd chance I accidentally ruined the packaging and had to throw out everything but the black light. Thank you serendipity!