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A brand of crayons being sold at Dollar Tree and multiple online stores tested positive for asbestos, according to the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (U.S. PIRG).
Credit: U.S. PIRG
According to the report, Playskool crayons purchased at a Dollar Tree store in Chicago tested positive for trace amounts of asbestos.
The product, a 36-pack of crayons, are also being sold on Amazon and eBay.
The research group is calling on Dollar Tree and Playskool to recall the crayons and remove the product from store shelves. They also recommended the company contact customers to warn them about the product.
“Based on our testing, we know that most manufacturers make safe school supplies. We’re calling on the makers of unsafe products to get rid of toxic chemicals and protect American schoolchildren,” said Kara Cook-Schultz, U.S. PIRG Education Fund Toxics Director.
Hasbro, the parent company of Playskool, issued a statement on Tuesday:
Dollar Tree also issued a statement about the report:
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, exposure to asbestos only occurs when asbestos-containing material is disturbed and particles become airborne.
U.S. PIRG also publishes an annual report about toy safety. Last year, the group identified two fidget spinners being sold at Target that contained over 300 times the legal limit for lead in children's products.
“The safest schools are healthy schools,” said Coalition for Healthier Schools Coordinator and Healthy Schools Network Founder and Executive Director Claire Barnett. “As children across the country get ready to return for the new semester, the national Coalition is urging parents to join us in this fight."