Popular Christmas Toy Tainted with Asbestos

By Alison Gonzalez

Published on December 10, 2007

The CSI Fingerprint Examination Kit, which contains an array of inks, tools, and other gadgets like the ones used in the hit CBS CSI-crime shows, also contains three fine powders used for fingerprinting. Tests performed by the advocacy group showed two of the powders contained enough asbestos fibers to trigger fatal lung conditions later in life.

One of the powders contained 7.2 percent of tremolite, one of the deadliest forms of asbestos. Exposure to tremolite just once has been linked to the development of mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer decades later.

Physicians said there is a significant chance children may accidentally inhale these powders when they use the kit's brush to move the powder around while searching for fingerprints.

Planet Toys, the New-York-based manufacturer of the product, said tests conducted at their plant in China found no asbestos. Their products conform to all Consumer Product Safety Commission and other toy safety standards, according to a spokesperson for the company.

She added that Planet Toys encourages others to conduct tests on the company's products, and if any of the products are found to be unacceptable, it will be removed from store shelves.

The kit sells for around $30 at Toys R Us and other retailers.

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