Certain crayons and forensic crime kits sold in Australia contain a very dangerous carcinogenic, reported by Environmental Working Group (EWG) Action Fund.
In an in-depth investigative report published in Sydney Morning Herald, EWG Action Fund confirmed that at least 4 of the 28 tested crayons and 2 of the 21 crime lab kits tested positive for the presence of asbestos, a naturally occurring silicate mineral that can cause a very serious health issue once the person is exposed.
Asbestos fibers are microscopic they can get into the body, particularly into the lungs, where they can accumulate over time. The accumulation may then lead to inflammation and scarring, both of which cause life-threatening respiratory illnesses and complications. Asbestos is one of the major causes of mesothelioma, a cancer affecting the mesothelium that serves as a lining for many organs of the body such as the lungs. Prognosis is low for this cancer.
EWG Action Fund commissioned a lab in North Carolina to perform the test. Most of the affected crayons carried fictional themes like super heroes and Disney characters, which made them very attractive to children.
Most of these contaminated products were manufactured in China then sold in online retail websites in Australia including Amazon. The agent, meanwhile, may have been added into the wax of the crayons or the powder in forensic kits.
The EWG Action Fund didn't elaborate on the actual asbestos content of the contaminated products, but they have already reached out to Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to investigate and hopefully ban these products. On the other hand, ACCC has already confirmed they have received such reports and are currently investigating the matter.
This isn't the first time that asbestos in crayons have been reported. In 2000, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has announced the risks of asbestos exposure are low in crayons. However, in this case where they may have been added in powders in crime kits, the risks increase since they can now be easily inhaled.
