Asbestos In Conusmer Products Can Affect Children

[Guest guest]

Asbestos has been highly regulated OSHA, NIOSH, EPA, CPSC and other

organizations. It is known to cause seriou lung diseaes, asbestosis,

and a highly maligan condition the lungs - mesthelioma. A recent

study by a nonprofit group founded my asbestos suffers has shown that

the fibers are presently found in a variety of consumer products.

The most frightening of these products are childrens toys. For

example, a finger printkit adopted by C.S.I. and sold to children as

a crime lab toy is at the top of this controversy. For further

information read the story below. Jack D. Thrasher, Ph.D.

Last updated November 27, 2007 9:41 p.m. PT

By ANDREW SCHNEIDER

P-I SENIOR CORRESPONDENT

Asbestos has been found in a variety of consumer products, including

one of this season's biggest-selling Christmas toys, according to the

nation's largest asbestos victims organizations.

The CSI Fingerprint Examination Kit, two brands of children's play

clay, powdered cleanser, roof sealers, duct tapes, window glazing,

spackling paste and small appliances were among the products in which

asbestos was found by at least two of three labs hired by the

Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization.

The group, which was created in 2004 by asbestos victims and their

families, spent more than $165,000 to have government-certified

laboratories examine hundreds of consumer products over 18 months to

determine whether asbestos was present.

It is unusual for a group of volunteers, many of whom have asbestos-

caused diseases, to fund research that impacts public health.

" We had to. No one else was doing it, " said Reinstein, the

group's co-founder and executive director. " This is information that

consumers and Congress must have because asbestos is lethal and we

naively believe that the government is protecting us, when it's not. "

The product that is of greatest concerns to some public health

experts is the fingerprint kit, which is a huge seller, according to

sales personnel interviewed by the Seattle P-I.

The kit, made in China, is one of several items licensed by CBS after

its popular " CSI " science-crime shows. This model has an extensive

array of plastic tools, inks and three types of very fine powders --

white, black and glow-in-the-dark. The analysis done for the victim's

organization found high levels of two types of asbestos in the white

and the glow powder.

Physicians are especially concerned because of the significant

likelihood of children breathing in asbestos fibers as they hunt for

fingerprints and use a soft-bristled brush to move the powder around.

CBS Consumer Products responded quickly when told of the reported

contamination.

" We've asked our licensee to immediately conduct an independent test

in the U.S. for asbestos. If the toy is determined to be unsafe, then

we will insist that the licensee remove it from the market, " a

statement from a CBS spokesman said.

The manufacturer and distributor -- Planet Toys in New York City --

said in an e-mail that it frequently inspects the plants in China

that make the CSI 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, " a spokeswoman said, but

added, " The agencies don't require asbestos testing and therefore we

have never been apprised of any unacceptable levels of asbestos.

" We respect anyone's right to test our products and should their or

our future tests reveal anything unacceptable, we'll of course take

swift action to remove contaminated products from the market. "

Some of the products tested for the organization contained less than

1 percent asbestos, which would not be prohibited under the partial

asbestos ban just passed by the Senate. Industry lobbyists succeeded

in watering down the complete ban that Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash.,

tried to pass. The House soon will hold hearings on the legislation

and is expected to attempt a complete prohibition of all asbestos-

containing products.

But other products, including the CSI fingerprint kit, exceeded that

level, at about 5 percent asbestos. One of the highest levels of

asbestos -- 30 percent -- was found in a roof sealer.

Health experts insist that asbestos at any level must be considered

potentially hazardous.

" Any amount is harmful. Even 1 percent can represent millions of

fibers, so we need a complete ban of all asbestos, at any level, "

said Dr. Arthur , co-chairman of the organization's science

advisory board and chairman of the Department of Environmental and

Occupational Medicine at the Drexel University School of Public

Health in Philadelphia.

Dr. Harbut, an international authority in the diagnosis and

treatment of asbestos-related diseases, calls the 1 percent exemption

a " get out of jail free " card provided by the government to those

who " profiteer off the asbestos-related deaths of Americans who

wrongly believed these types of products are safe. "

The products tested for the organization were bought from several

national retail chains, including Wal-Mart, Costco, Toys " R " Us, Home

Depot, Lowe's, Macy's, CVS, Bed Bath & Beyond and others.

Another product the labs said contained asbestos was Art Skills' Clay

Bucket, where asbestos was found in six colors of clay.

The Pennsylvania-based family business uses clay from Thailand and,

Hogan said, produces " a safe and hazard-free product " which

has " passed all toxicology tests required to conform to applicable

United States safety standards. "

Hogan says her firm appreciates the seriousness of the organization's

concerns " and will pursue vigorously any evidence of hazardous

substances in our products. "

Three varieties of Ja-Ru Toy Clay contained asbestos, according to

the laboratory reports. Omnimodels in ville, Fla., which

distributes the clay from China to major toy chains, did not respond

to a request for comment.

" There is no excuse for this. The fact that asbestos is still being

found in consumer products is appalling, " said Dr. Aubrey of

the U.S. Public Health Service, who has been researching asbestos

health issues with the Environmental Protection Agency for almost a

decade. " Even more concerning are products sold to be used by

children. They have more time to exhibit the health effects from

exposure to these disease-causing fibers. "

The laboratories reported asbestos in Scotch High Performance Duct

Tape and its All Weather Duct Tape, both of which are manufactured in

Canada, according to 3M.

" 3M has a policy against using asbestos in our products, " said Jackie

Berry, a corporate spokeswoman, " and we don't use asbestos in our

duct tape. "

The labs also said asbestos was found in numerous tests of DAP Crack

Shot Spackling Paste and DAP's 33 Window Glazing.

Fuller, vice president of marketing for DAP, said " neither

product contains asbestos. As a responsible company, DAP has been,

and will continue to be, in regular contact with our suppliers and

will routinely review information and regulations relevant to

ensuring the safety and efficacy of our products. "

The test results reported high levels of asbestos in Gardner Leak

Stopper. A request for comment from Gardner-Gibson's Headquarters in

Tampa went unanswered.

Asbestos also was also found in hair rollers, hot plates and small

appliances imported from China and sold in major drug store chains.

The organization may do additional testing on those products and

others.

Zygielbaum, a survivor of mesothelioma, and his wife, ,

proposed tests of products readily available on U.S. store shelves.

" Our reasoning was that, while the continuing legality of asbestos

doesn't seem to cause public outrage, the actual, unsuspected

presence of asbestos in everyday products might do so, " said

Zygielbaum, who managed the testing.

Everyone involved with the organization's testing is convinced that

numerous other products being sold contain asbestos.

" Every exposure to asbestos fibers is associated with an increased

risk of cancer and asbestosis, " said Harbut, who is co-director of

the National Center for Vermiculite and Asbestos Related

Cancers. " The use of these sorts of products may explain at least in

part why some non-smokers get lung cancer and persons with no

occupational exposures develop mesothelioma. "

" In a perfect world, the manufacturers of these products would ensure

that they are toxin-, carcinogen- and asbestos-free. In the real

world, one of the cardinal responsibilities of government is to

protect the people. It's just not happening, "

After reporting its findings at a news conference in Washington on

Wednesday morning, the organization says it will submit its testing

information to the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the EPA.

" The government really needs to act responsibly and honestly and

understand that political compromises have no meaning to a family

devastated by an asbestos cancer, " Harbut said.

The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization's Reinstein says, " The

government has to do its job. "

" There is no reason at all for the American consumer to pull a

product off the market shelf and wonder whether it has asbestos in it

that can kill them or their family. Just no reason at all, " Reinstein

said. Her husband, Alan, died of mesothelioma last year.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

----------

P-I senior correspondent Schneider can be reached at 206-448-

8218 or andrewschneider@....

© 1998-2007 Seattle Post-Intelligencer

[Guest guest]

I can't respond to this without using a bunch of expletives. I'll pass

this around in the hope that it is the straw that breaks the camel's

back.

Barth

---

t> Asbestos has been highly regulated OSHA, NIOSH, EPA, CPSC and other

t> organizations. It is known to cause seriou lung diseaes, asbestosis,

t> and a highly maligan condition the lungs - mesthelioma. A recent

t> study by a nonprofit group founded my asbestos suffers has shown that

t> the fibers are presently found in a variety of consumer products.

t> The most frightening of these products are childrens toys. For

t> example, a finger printkit adopted by C.S.I. and sold to children as

t> a crime lab toy is at the top of this controversy. For further

t> information read the story below. Jack D. Thrasher, Ph.D.

t> Last updated November 27, 2007 9:41 p.m. PT

t> By ANDREW SCHNEIDER

t> P-I SENIOR CORRESPONDENT

t> Asbestos has been found in a variety of consumer products, including

t> one of this season's biggest-selling Christmas toys, according to the

t> nation's largest asbestos victims organizations.

t> The CSI Fingerprint Examination Kit, two brands of children's play

t> clay, powdered cleanser, roof sealers, duct tapes, window glazing,

t> spackling paste and small appliances were among the products in which

t> asbestos was found by at least two of three labs hired by the

t> Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization.

t> The group, which was created in 2004 by asbestos victims and their

t> families, spent more than $165,000 to have government-certified

t> laboratories examine hundreds of consumer products over 18 months to

t> determine whether asbestos was present.

t> It is unusual for a group of volunteers, many of whom have asbestos-

t> caused diseases, to fund research that impacts public health.

t> " We had to. No one else was doing it, " said Reinstein, the

t> group's co-founder and executive director. " This is information that

t> consumers and Congress must have because asbestos is lethal and we

t> naively believe that the government is protecting us, when it's not. "

t> The product that is of greatest concerns to some public health

t> experts is the fingerprint kit, which is a huge seller, according to

t> sales personnel interviewed by the Seattle P-I.

t> The kit, made in China, is one of several items licensed by CBS after

t> its popular " CSI " science-crime shows. This model has an extensive

t> array of plastic tools, inks and three types of very fine powders --

t> white, black and glow-in-the-dark. The analysis done for the victim's

t> organization found high levels of two types of asbestos in the white

t> and the glow powder.

t> Physicians are especially concerned because of the significant

t> likelihood of children breathing in asbestos fibers as they hunt for

t> fingerprints and use a soft-bristled brush to move the powder around.

t> CBS Consumer Products responded quickly when told of the reported

t> contamination.

t> " We've asked our licensee to immediately conduct an independent test

t> in the U.S. for asbestos. If the toy is determined to be unsafe, then

t> we will insist that the licensee remove it from the market, " a

t> statement from a CBS spokesman said.

t> The manufacturer and distributor -- Planet Toys in New York City --

t> said in an e-mail that it frequently inspects the plants in China

t> that make the CSI toys.

t> " The kit has been tested and has met all safety standards

t> requirements as set by toy safety agencies and legislation, including

t> the Consumer Product Safety Commission, " a spokeswoman said, but

t> added, " The agencies don't require asbestos testing and therefore we

t> have never been apprised of any unacceptable levels of asbestos.

t> " We respect anyone's right to test our products and should their or

t> our future tests reveal anything unacceptable, we'll of course take

t> swift action to remove contaminated products from the market. "

t> Some of the products tested for the organization contained less than

t> 1 percent asbestos, which would not be prohibited under the partial

t> asbestos ban just passed by the Senate. Industry lobbyists succeeded

t> in watering down the complete ban that Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash.,

t> tried to pass. The House soon will hold hearings on the legislation

t> and is expected to attempt a complete prohibition of all asbestos-

t> containing products.

t> But other products, including the CSI fingerprint kit, exceeded that

t> level, at about 5 percent asbestos. One of the highest levels of

t> asbestos -- 30 percent -- was found in a roof sealer.

t> Health experts insist that asbestos at any level must be considered

t> potentially hazardous.

t> " Any amount is harmful. Even 1 percent can represent millions of

t> fibers, so we need a complete ban of all asbestos, at any level, "

t> said Dr. Arthur , co-chairman of the organization's science

t> advisory board and chairman of the Department of Environmental and

t> Occupational Medicine at the Drexel University School of Public

t> Health in Philadelphia.

t> Dr. Harbut, an international authority in the diagnosis and

t> treatment of asbestos-related diseases, calls the 1 percent exemption

t> a " get out of jail free " card provided by the government to those

t> who " profiteer off the asbestos-related deaths of Americans who

t> wrongly believed these types of products are safe. "

t> The products tested for the organization were bought from several

t> national retail chains, including Wal-Mart, Costco, Toys " R " Us, Home

t> Depot, Lowe's, Macy's, CVS, Bed Bath & Beyond and others.

t> Another product the labs said contained asbestos was Art Skills' Clay

t> Bucket, where asbestos was found in six colors of clay.

t> The Pennsylvania-based family business uses clay from Thailand and,

t> Hogan said, produces " a safe and hazard-free product " which

t> has " passed all toxicology tests required to conform to applicable

t> United States safety standards. "

t> Hogan says her firm appreciates the seriousness of the organization's

t> concerns " and will pursue vigorously any evidence of hazardous

t> substances in our products. "

t> Three varieties of Ja-Ru Toy Clay contained asbestos, according to

t> the laboratory reports. Omnimodels in ville, Fla., which

t> distributes the clay from China to major toy chains, did not respond

t> to a request for comment.

t> " There is no excuse for this. The fact that asbestos is still being

t> found in consumer products is appalling, " said Dr. Aubrey of

t> the U.S. Public Health Service, who has been researching asbestos

t> health issues with the Environmental Protection Agency for almost a

t> decade. " Even more concerning are products sold to be used by

t> children. They have more time to exhibit the health effects from

t> exposure to these disease-causing fibers. "

t> The laboratories reported asbestos in Scotch High Performance Duct

t> Tape and its All Weather Duct Tape, both of which are manufactured in

t> Canada, according to 3M.

t> " 3M has a policy against using asbestos in our products, " said Jackie

t> Berry, a corporate spokeswoman, " and we don't use asbestos in our

t> duct tape. "

t> The labs also said asbestos was found in numerous tests of DAP Crack

t> Shot Spackling Paste and DAP's 33 Window Glazing.

t> Fuller, vice president of marketing for DAP, said " neither

t> product contains asbestos. As a responsible company, DAP has been,

t> and will continue to be, in regular contact with our suppliers and

t> will routinely review information and regulations relevant to

t> ensuring the safety and efficacy of our products. "

t> The test results reported high levels of asbestos in Gardner Leak

t> Stopper. A request for comment from Gardner-Gibson's Headquarters in

t> Tampa went unanswered.

t> Asbestos also was also found in hair rollers, hot plates and small

t> appliances imported from China and sold in major drug store chains.

t> The organization may do additional testing on those products and

t> others.

t> Zygielbaum, a survivor of mesothelioma, and his wife, ,

t> proposed tests of products readily available on U.S. store shelves.

t> " Our reasoning was that, while the continuing legality of asbestos

t> doesn't seem to cause public outrage, the actual, unsuspected

t> presence of asbestos in everyday products might do so, " said

t> Zygielbaum, who managed the testing.

t> Everyone involved with the organization's testing is convinced that

t> numerous other products being sold contain asbestos.

t> " Every exposure to asbestos fibers is associated with an increased

t> risk of cancer and asbestosis, " said Harbut, who is co-director of

t> the National Center for Vermiculite and Asbestos Related

t> Cancers. " The use of these sorts of products may explain at least in

t> part why some non-smokers get lung cancer and persons with no

t> occupational exposures develop mesothelioma. "

t> " In a perfect world, the manufacturers of these products would ensure

t> that they are toxin-, carcinogen- and asbestos-free. In the real

t> world, one of the cardinal responsibilities of government is to

t> protect the people. It's just not happening, "

t> After reporting its findings at a news conference in Washington on

t> Wednesday morning, the organization says it will submit its testing

t> information to the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the EPA.

t> " The government really needs to act responsibly and honestly and

t> understand that political compromises have no meaning to a family

t> devastated by an asbestos cancer, " Harbut said.

t> The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization's Reinstein says, " The

t> government has to do its job. "

t> " There is no reason at all for the American consumer to pull a

t> product off the market shelf and wonder whether it has asbestos in it

t> that can kill them or their family. Just no reason at all, " Reinstein

t> said. Her husband, Alan, died of mesothelioma last year.

t> ----------------------------------------------------------------------

t> ----------

t> P-I senior correspondent Schneider can be reached at 206-448-

t> 8218 or andrewschneider@....

t> © 1998-2007 Seattle Post-Intelligencer