Advocacy group: Asbestos found in Playskool crayons

popular brand of crayons contains toxic levels of asbestos, according to a consumer advocacy group that is calling on retailers such as Dollar Tree and Amazon. com to pull the items from their shelves.

The U.S. Public Interest

Research Group (U.S. PIRG)

Education Fund says Playskool crayons tested positive for asbestos, which can lead to lung cancer and mesothelioma if inhaled or ingested.

The group tested 36-packs of crayons purchased at a

Dollar Tree store in Chicago but noted that they are also being sold online at Amazon, diately respond to requests eBay and DollarDays.com. for comment.

( Jeff Bezos, the founder and The findings come three chief executive of Amazon, years after a report from owns The Washington Post.) the Environmental Working

“There is no reason to be Group Action Fund found exposing kids to a known carthat four brands of crayons cinogen, especially in cray- manufactured in China conons,” said Kara Cook-Schultz, tained toxic asbestos fibers. toxics director for U.S. PIRG. Amazon, Toys R Us, Party

A spokeswoman for Plays- City and Dollar Tree stopped kool’s parent company, Hasselling the crayons as a result. bro, said it is conducting a (The affected brands were “thorough investigation” into Saban’s Power Rangers the claims. Leap Year Publish- Super Megaforce Crayons; ing, the Massachusetts-based Disney Mickey Mouse Clubmanufacturer of the cray- house Crayons; Nickelodeons, said it is also reviewing on’s Teenage Mutant Ninja its lab tests. Turtles Crayons; and Ams

Dollar Tree executives, can Crayons.) meanwhile, said indepenAlthough federal laws regdent tests have indicated that ulate the amount of asbestos its crayons do not contain in drinking water, schools asbestos. and some consumer prod

“The safety of our customucts, there are no regulations ers and associates is our top on the amount of asbestos priority,” Randy Guiler, vice allowed in children’s prodpresident of investor rela- ucts, according to Cooktions, wrote in an email. “We Schultz. are aware of the report and The group also tested five have since re-verified that other crayon brands — Crayeach of the listed products ola; Target’s Up & Up; Crasuccessfully passed inspec- Z-Art; Disney Junior Mickey tion and testing.” and the Roadster Racers; and

Amazon, eBay and DolRoseart — that were found to larDays.com did not imme- be asbestos-free.

A