bigsale
November 8th, 2007, 08:35 AM
Date-rape drug in bead toy
http://img.iht.com/images/2007/11/07/07toysb550.jpg
Kevin Carpenter holds toxic pellets ingested by a child. (Tony Sernack for The New York Times)
THE Australian toy of the year, Bindeez, has been withdrawn after a warning that the date-rape drug GHB may have been "deliberately" put into the product.
IIA nationwide recall is expected following the banning of the product in NSW and WA yesterday.
Two children - 10 and two - were admitted to The Children's Hospital, Westmead this month and another was treated in Queensland after swallowing the Bindeez beads.
Tests have revealed the tiny beads contain the chemical 1,4-Butanediol, which when ingested turns into liquid fantasy, also known as GHB.
An investigation has been launched into how the dangerous chemical, an adhesive, ended up in the toy but some experts believe it was deliberately swapped for one of the listed ingredients.
Bindeez are made in Hong Kong and imported through Melbourne company Moose Enterprises.
The bead crafting kits won the title of Most Popular Toy in March.
The company, which was unavailable for comment yesterday, has been forced to withdraw the toy and faces millions of dollars in losses.
The beads contain a non-toxic glue which, when sprayed with water, stick together to form shapes.
Authorities became concerned when Charlotte Lehane, 10, was the second child in a week needing hospitalisation after swallowing the beads.
Her mother Heather Lehane, of Castle Hill, said that within an hour of her daughter eating the coloured balls, she became unconscious.
"It was terrifying. I couldn't wake her and then she just started vomiting this thick glue-like substance and all these Bindeez," Mrs Lehane said. "She had wanted them for her birthday ... they are very popular."
Fair Trading Minister Linda Burney ordered the immediate removal of the toy from shops.
It is the second time this year a popular children's toy has had to be recalled after Mattel products, made in China, were found to contain lead.
University of NSW toxicologist Chris Wynder said the chemical was most likely put into the toy.
"There's a possibility there's been some malice," Professor Wynder said. "Maybe the glue they use was too expensive, or wasn't available."
* Parents who think their child may have swallowed the beads should look for drowsiness, reduced levels of consciousness and unexplained fits or seizures. For information, telephone 131220.
Source 1: http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22714024-421,00.html
Source 2: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,309318,00.html
http://img.iht.com/images/2007/11/07/07toysb550.jpg
Kevin Carpenter holds toxic pellets ingested by a child. (Tony Sernack for The New York Times)
THE Australian toy of the year, Bindeez, has been withdrawn after a warning that the date-rape drug GHB may have been "deliberately" put into the product.
IIA nationwide recall is expected following the banning of the product in NSW and WA yesterday.
Two children - 10 and two - were admitted to The Children's Hospital, Westmead this month and another was treated in Queensland after swallowing the Bindeez beads.
Tests have revealed the tiny beads contain the chemical 1,4-Butanediol, which when ingested turns into liquid fantasy, also known as GHB.
An investigation has been launched into how the dangerous chemical, an adhesive, ended up in the toy but some experts believe it was deliberately swapped for one of the listed ingredients.
Bindeez are made in Hong Kong and imported through Melbourne company Moose Enterprises.
The bead crafting kits won the title of Most Popular Toy in March.
The company, which was unavailable for comment yesterday, has been forced to withdraw the toy and faces millions of dollars in losses.
The beads contain a non-toxic glue which, when sprayed with water, stick together to form shapes.
Authorities became concerned when Charlotte Lehane, 10, was the second child in a week needing hospitalisation after swallowing the beads.
Her mother Heather Lehane, of Castle Hill, said that within an hour of her daughter eating the coloured balls, she became unconscious.
"It was terrifying. I couldn't wake her and then she just started vomiting this thick glue-like substance and all these Bindeez," Mrs Lehane said. "She had wanted them for her birthday ... they are very popular."
Fair Trading Minister Linda Burney ordered the immediate removal of the toy from shops.
It is the second time this year a popular children's toy has had to be recalled after Mattel products, made in China, were found to contain lead.
University of NSW toxicologist Chris Wynder said the chemical was most likely put into the toy.
"There's a possibility there's been some malice," Professor Wynder said. "Maybe the glue they use was too expensive, or wasn't available."
* Parents who think their child may have swallowed the beads should look for drowsiness, reduced levels of consciousness and unexplained fits or seizures. For information, telephone 131220.
Source 1: http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22714024-421,00.html
Source 2: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,309318,00.html