National Ledger - Date Rape Drug in Aqua Dots: Recall

Share This \| Related Date Rape Drug in Aqua Dots: Recall
By Lynda Johnson Nov 9, 2007

Aqua Dots Recall - Kids love Aqua Dots! In Australia, where they're sold under the brand Bindeez, they were named the country's Toy of the Year. But the popular toy has been found to contain a chemical that turns into a powerful "date rape" drug when eaten! How serious is it? The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) said the Aqua Dots craft toys include a chemical, 1,4 butanediol, on their beads which, if swallowed, can turn toxic and cause unconsciousness, respiratory depression, or seizures.

Date Rape Drug in Aqua Dots: Recall

What - yes millions of toy products in North America and Australia have been taken off the shelves after it was discovered that they contained chemicals that, when digested, convert into the date rape drug gamma hydroxy butyrate (street name of GHB).

***

Recalls involving millions of mostly Chinese-made toys, the majority over lead in their paint, have alarmed American consumers in recent months. Lead is toxic and can pose serious health risks to children, including brain damage.

Aqua Dots, made in China, are beads that can be arranged into colorful patterns and fused together when sprayed with water. They were sold at mass merchandisers including Wal-Mart and Toys R Us, both of which said they were removing Aqua Dots from shelves.

***

Retailer Toys "R" Us Inc. said it issued a "stop sale" on Aqua Dots product line on Tuesday in its North American stores and on its Web site after it learned of the news.

Today's Most Popular Stories:

Share This:
To bookmark and share this site, please use the links below:
Tag in Del.icio.us | Digg This | Stumble Upon
Email this article | Print this article | Write the author

Read more from author Lynda Johnson

Email this article
Printer friendly page

Write the Author:

Related Information

For more stories from The National Ledger's independent writers on Breaking please visit our Breaking page.

About
National Ledger

More
Important Links

FEEDS: News | Pop Culture | Ledger Pop | Ledger DC