Posted on 11/09/2007 5:03:27 AM PST by Turret Gunner A20
ALERT
SYDNEY, Australia - The Australian company behind a popular Chinese-made toy found to contain a chemical that converts into a potentially fatal drug when ingested said Friday it was investigating how the toxin ended up in its product.
An 18-month-old boy became the fourth child hospitalized in Australia in recent weeks when he collapsed after eating the toy.
Retailers have pulled millions of the toys, known as Bindeez in Australia and Aqua Dots in the United States, from their shelves this week after scientists found the products contain a chemical that converts into the so-called "date rape" drug gamma hydroxy butyrate when ingested.
The toy, which is produced in China by Australia-based Moose Enterprises, contains colorful beads that can be arranged into designs and fused when sprayed with water. According to a product description, the toys were supposed to be coated with 1,5-pentanediol, a nontoxic compound found in glue, but instead contained 1,4-butanediol, a potentially harmful chemical widely used in cleaners and plastics.
The New South Wales state health department lists 1,4-butanediol as a possible replacement for gamma hydroxy butyrate, which is known to cause unconsciousness, seizures, drowsiness, coma and death.
yep, china is our friend, and a most favored trade nation, in the Western world.....The chinese would never harm the next generation of children......../(barf)
I’ve always done my best to shun China clothing/goods.
It’s nearly impossible, however, when buying cheaper things.
But if I had children in the house now, there is no way I’d buy them anything from China right now. If I could help it....
Some ingredients/products are well-hidden.
Cost is immaterial now, try finding athletic shoes, motion sensing lights, I could go on eternally, most things can only be found "made in China".
TIME FOR DUNCAN HUNTER!!!!!!
It’s time for the Fair Tax and bring US Manufctureres home to produce out own goods at a fair price, instaed of taxing them out of the competition for markets.
Should be 'produce our own goods'
There are already people on the interweb asking for folks already in possession of the toy in question to sell it to them, so they can lick it.
GHB on Chinese toys? This was NOT an accident. Boycott all Chinese goods.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.