China banned export of tainted toys

The Chinese government has suspended the export of tainted toys, recalled by the US and Australia after discovering that children must be admitted for this toy, the Chinese news agency, Xinhua, on 9 November. believe.

The decision of the Beijing government was made after more than 7 cases of American children were sick by swallowing seeds of toys with toxic chemicals. This new incident has raised the total number of American children with toy poisoning to 9, US Consumer Product Safety Commissioner (CPSC) said.

The Chinese quality control agency issued a ban on export and sealing toys where they were produced and conducted an investigation, Xinhua said in a short newsletter.

Millions of popular toys, sold in the United States under the name Aqua Dots and Bindezz in Australia, have been recalled in a number of countries such as Britain, Malaysia, Singapore and other areas after some children fell ill. for swallowing toy particles.

Tests show that the toy particle is covered with 1,4-butanediol industrial chemical. When ingested, this chemical is converted into gamma hydroxy butyrate, and causes breathing problems, loss of consciousness , seizures, drowsiness, coma and death.

Aqua Dots toys ( Photo: AP )

In addition to the 9 sick children in the US because of the toy, there are 3 other children in Australia in the same situation.

Reports of sick children in the United States, six of them being treated in hospitals, from at least five states: Texas, Delaware, New Hampshire, Illinois and Utah, CPSC spokesman Julie Vallese said. The agency recalled Aqua Dots toys on November 7 after two children were hospitalized for eating these beads.

The US recalled a total of 4.2 million sets of Aqua Dots toys, consisting of colored beads that can be arranged into different shapes. According to Ms. Vallese, CPSC received the first report on this toy poisoning on November 5 and ordered the withdrawal of Aqua Dots two days later.

In the latest incident, the Aqua Dots toy, or Bindeez, is said to be covered with non-toxic substance 1,5-pentanediol - the chemical commonly used in printers. However, real chemicals used in contaminated toys are 1,4-butanediol, 3 to 4 times cheaper than 1,5-pentanediol.

Hoai Linh