Mother Talkers

Aqua Dots Recall

by littlepear

Thu Nov 08, 2007 at 10:51:15 AM PDT

A friend of mine sent me this article posted on CNN.com about the recall of Aqua Dot bead toys. Apparently the reason for the recall is not lead, rather it is because the coating on the beads contains a chemical that once metabolized converts into GHB! GHB is some pretty scary stuff.

"In higher doses, it can cause people to go into a coma. It can cause seizures. It can cause something known as hypotonia, where all your muscles just become very flaccid.

According to the article Aqua Dots were recently listed on Wal-Mart’s list of top 12 Christmas toys, but in light of the recall they have been removed from that list.

In the US there have been two reports to the CPSC on incidents involving a child ingesting Aqua Dots and becoming seriously ill.

The CPSC said a boy nearly 2 years old "swallowed several dozen beads. He became dizzy and vomited several times before slipping into a comatose state." The toddler was hospitalized and has since fully recovered, the commission added.
In the second incident, a child vomited, fell into a coma and was hospitalized for five days. It was not immediately clear whether the child had made a full recovery.

First lead and magnets, now this. What will be next?

Tags: Toy recall, GHB (all tags)

Permalink | 49 comments

  • Scary (0 / 0)

    I just saw this, but I have no idea what these Aqua Dots even are!  Are they new?  Did they stick together or something?

    So scary.  I'm thinking I'm not buying any toys this year.  I'm so sick of this.  

    Anyone have some online toy companies that only sell safe toys that they would recommend?

    by NJmom on Thu Nov 08, 2007 at 10:56:48 AM PDT

    • online toys (0 / 0)

      You might want to try www.turtlesdreams.com  They are more for really small children.  And www.kidsurplus.com has a lot of variety, but you need to check the manufacturer.

      by face121 on Thu Nov 08, 2007 at 11:49:22 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

    • Not a toy, (0 / 0)

      but since most of us are having a hard time trusting toy companies (myself included) I'm going to ask DH's parents to get my kids a subscription to a Cricket Magazine.  I'm going to ask for Ladybug for Madeline and dig for Grant.  The catalog came the other day... they also sell some toys and books.  I know it's not something they can open on Xmas day, but at least it'll keep the regular toys to a minimum.  

      "We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of the dream..."

      by 1plain1peanut on Thu Nov 08, 2007 at 02:06:13 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  • These were at the TOP of Liza's Xmas list (0 / 0)

    this year -- her most asked for thing -- her friend actually has had them for months now and Liza wanted them so bad - I had almost bought them last weekend but held off thinking i'd find a better sale soon.  

    sigh....

    by MKatherine1966 on Thu Nov 08, 2007 at 11:15:31 AM PDT

    • asdf (0 / 0)

      I've heard that this year with all the recalls and production not keeping up, you're better off getting things when you find them instead of waiting for a sale, because things will probably sell out and not be available later.

      Of course that could be a marketing tool.

      by jennifree2bme on Thu Nov 08, 2007 at 03:04:11 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  • GHB is one of the "date rape" drugs (0 / 0)

    Obviously a chemist was involved in creating these toys, but it seems not a terribly foresighted chemist.

    by shenanigans on Thu Nov 08, 2007 at 11:17:55 AM PDT

  • Made in China (0 / 0)

    naturally. :-/

    I am so upset by all this. I feel like everything is a potential threat now. I was at TJ Maxx recently looking for a present for an infant. EVERY SINGLE toy, rattle, teether I picked up was made in China. I left empty handed.

    Maya uses a Thomas and Friends bubble bath every night, and I took comfort in the fact that it was manufactured in America. I went to buy some recently and the packaging was "new" and "improved". I took a closer look at the label and found that something else had changed: it is now made in China. My dopey kid likes to eat the bubbles sometimes.

    So Mr. Bubble it is.

    by Erika on Thu Nov 08, 2007 at 11:21:30 AM PDT

    • hey (0 / 0)

      you're not the only one with a bubble-eating kid. Jess in fact will guzzle bath water if not supervised... I've bit the bullet and bought an organic liquid soap from our local wholefoods store.

      by Rachel on Thu Nov 08, 2007 at 01:00:18 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      • what is that about?? (0 / 0)

        Maya drinks her bathwater, too. YUCK!!! I spend her baths admonishing her not to. But she's got stacking cups to play with in the bath, and just loves tossing it back...ick.

        by Erika on Thu Nov 08, 2007 at 04:08:24 PM PDT

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        • I think it's like Mt. Everest (0 / 0)

          they drink it because it's there. I mean, I tell Jess not to do it because it's yucky/will make her sick, yadda yadda yadda, but she (and I assume Maya as well) is at the age where pronouncements from Mummy and Daddy are not taken at face value and must be tested to be proven right.

          Best I can do is give her a quick wash before the bath to get dirt off of hands and feet, and use this organic wash I've found.

          by Rachel on Thu Nov 08, 2007 at 05:43:08 PM PDT

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        • My kids do it (0 / 0)

          My inlaws freak out about it every time they are in town and see them do it.  Supposedly drinking bathwater causes diarrhea.  If that's the case my sons ought to constantly have the runs.  They don't.  Maybe they built up a tolerance.  At least my 3 year old is growing out of the habit.  In his case it's mainly because he's realizing that he may wet the bed if he drinks anything close to bedtime and we have a sticker chart going for every time he wakes up clean and dry.

          by music teacher on Thu Nov 08, 2007 at 08:38:47 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

  • Recalled here in Australia as well (0 / 0)

    They were marketed under a different name - Bindeez. They won an award as Toy of the Year here. How does that happen?

    News of recall here.

    by Rachel on Thu Nov 08, 2007 at 01:02:33 PM PDT

  • You know, (0 / 0)

    all of the focus has been on toys....does anyone else wonder what's in all the other stuff we purchase that's made in china?  I'm getting freaked about kitchen ware and utensils.  Does anyone believe any of this stuff is any safer?  Why would it be?

    by tjb22 on Thu Nov 08, 2007 at 01:47:03 PM PDT

    • right with you (0 / 0)

      it wouldn't be any safer. I'm weeding out the plastic storage in favor of the glass (browsing thrift shops and such for mason jars and the ilk) and I'm looking for a good cast-iron skillet and assorted trays. My mom has been highly suspicious of teflon coatings for years. I always thought it was up there with her insistance that sitting too close to the TV would give me cancer, but now I'm wondering too!

      by Rachel on Thu Nov 08, 2007 at 02:02:41 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      • asdf (0 / 0)

        A while back I spent the time to comb our local resale shops for Corningware casserole dishes with matching lids. They go in the oven, microwave, freezer and dishwasher. They're frequently at thrift stores with thrift store prices, so if you break one, it's no big deal to replace it.

        by jennifree2bme on Thu Nov 08, 2007 at 02:32:53 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

    • Same here.. (0 / 0)

      My folks got me an expensive non-stick Calphalon cook set 10 years ago.  They have a lifetime warranty.  Well, some of the pans have worn off their non-stick surface.  Of course Calphalon will replace them since we've used them according to the manufacturers instructions... but I guess we've been ingesting some of this stuff over the years or it wouldn't be gone.  :shudder:  I told DH I want to get a nice stainless steel set next year when he retires.  

      Like Rachel... I'm storing a lot of stuff in Mason Jars now too.  Plastic's making me leery as well.

      "We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of the dream..."

      by 1plain1peanut on Thu Nov 08, 2007 at 02:11:49 PM PDT

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      • the best part about glass (0 / 0)

        is that it's really easy to find in thrift stores - a lot of cleaning out of attics and such. I'm replacing on an as-I-find it basis, but it's not that difficult. And you can microwave it and dishwash it...

        by Rachel on Thu Nov 08, 2007 at 02:17:56 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

      • I still have several pieces (0 / 0)

        of stainless steel cookware that was my husband's grandmother's.  It was passed along to me about 20 years ago.   Who knows how long she had had it!  It looks to have been made in the 50's.  Honestly, I'm sure it will still be just as usable in another 50 years.  The stuff one buys now?  Well, I'm doing good to get a couple of years out of it...and it might be poisoning us to boot!

        I've always preferred to bake with glassware.  I like the Corning and Anchor Hocking and still have several pieces of this that I have had since I have been married.  I do know that it was made here back in the 80's...these days, who knows?  

        by tjb22 on Thu Nov 08, 2007 at 02:35:18 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        • I have some glass (0 / 0)

          bake-ware, but honestly I love baking with stoneware.  I've got quite a few pieces.  I should probably look into what the heck that stuff is made of!

          "We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of the dream..."

          by 1plain1peanut on Thu Nov 08, 2007 at 02:40:35 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

      • done (0 / 0)

        I'm done with Teflon too, although they are great for making eggs.

        by NJmom on Thu Nov 08, 2007 at 02:39:04 PM PDT

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        • non stick (0 / 0)

          I agree... I'll miss the non-stick properties of teflon for eggs, that's for sure.  

          I hear I'll have to sort of relearn how to cook for stainless steel.  I read that you need a bit more oil and pre-heating the pan helps too.  

          "We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of the dream..."

          by 1plain1peanut on Thu Nov 08, 2007 at 02:49:37 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

          • Oh, you'll like it. (0 / 0)

            Really...with good pieces, there's not a lot of sticking.  It does take a little longer to heat up, but it conducts that heat in such an even manner that there isn't a lot of burning around the edges and sticking.  It's also very easy to clean.

            by tjb22 on Thu Nov 08, 2007 at 02:53:14 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

  • Recall fatigue (0 / 0)

    I think I have recall fatigue.  I know that sounds bad, but every time I hear one coming up on the news, I think "oh great... what's deadly/poisonous now?"  This has gotten past the point of ridiculous.  How are we supposed to trust any of these big toy companies???

    "We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of the dream..."

    by 1plain1peanut on Thu Nov 08, 2007 at 02:30:48 PM PDT

    • agree (0 / 0)

      It's totally crazy.  I'm on the CPSC email list, where they mail you the recalls every day and today there were NINE toys on there, including these Aqua Dots.  

      The others were all lead for stuff mostly sold in dollar stores.  Dollar Stores seem to be the worst for this kind of stuff IMO.  No bargains there.

      Even the Thomas toys, there has been two recalls now, and then they sent out a free gift to make up for it, and ended up recalling that too.  I just look at them all and say, what am I going to do?  Either throw them out or give up?  Right now, I'm just settling for maing sure no one puts them in their mouths.

      by NJmom on Thu Nov 08, 2007 at 02:41:43 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      • Crazy (0 / 0)

        Are you serious?  The toy they sent you to make up for the first recall got recalled too?  Somebody needs to put these people out of the toy making business!

        "We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of the dream..."

        by 1plain1peanut on Thu Nov 08, 2007 at 02:44:08 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

      • asdf (0 / 0)

        I went to the CPSC, and their recall list is so extensive. I've got to wonder about the manufacturers of some of the products being recalled. For example, http://www.cpsc.gov/... is a Kathe Kruse toy and to me that name says both "European quality" and "Expensive". Yet, what could they be thinking to spend the money manufacturing little wooden balls marketed towards toddlers, then recall all of them because little wooden balls are inappropriate for that age group? Wouldn't you think someone would have had some foresight in the matter? As my teenager would say, "Duh!"

        by jennifree2bme on Thu Nov 08, 2007 at 03:54:14 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

    • asdf (0 / 0)

      I plan to shop Hearthsong, Timberdoodle, and Magic Cabin for the littler kids. They will want toys you can really dig in and play with. If we get my baby girl a Magic Cabin Waldorf doll, we should be able to add doll accessories and clothing for gift giving occasions over the next several years. (Stereotypes be damned. My 3 yo son plays with the kitchen toys all the time, and our baby girl roars the dinosaurs as often. We've got no gender issues.)

      Also, the older kids used to like audio stories, especially from http://www.oddsbodkin.com/ So I suppose maybe I'll look for something there that we haven't already got.

      Books are popular for all ages- fiction, nonfiction, baby board books, early readers or classic literature. The Dangerous Book for Boys and The American Boy's Handy Book have lots of ideas for activities, so maybe the older boys will get some supplies for the ideas they offer in those books. There are girl versions of both books.

      The older kids will want Legos, video games, and cds. The merits of video games can be debated but at least they're non-toxic.

      Also popular among my kids, and always very fun: http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/ The product safety statement on their website is strongly worded, although lots of their products are definitely to be used by older kids while supervised.

      by jennifree2bme on Thu Nov 08, 2007 at 03:01:46 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      • magic cabin (0 / 0)

        We love Magic Cabin here at this house too!  And, I've made three Waldorf dolls from their kits... so easy to do even for someone w/limited sewing experience.  And, it's soooo much cheaper than buying an already made one.  Speaking of gender issues...I even made a boy doll for my son, who wanted one... and you know there just aren't any boy dolls in mainstream stores!  I imagine they'll be wonderful keepsakes for them when they get older.

        We love Stevesplangerscience.com too.  Good stuff!

        "We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of the dream..."

        by 1plain1peanut on Thu Nov 08, 2007 at 03:08:00 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

  • unbeknownst to me... (0 / 0)

    Miles has been playing with Aquadots at Creative Kids Club, which is his after-care program.  He saw the recall on CNN at a diner during lunch today and told my husband.

    Greeat....I mean, he's 7 and wouldn't eat a bead, but still I don't like not knowing what he's playing with, you know?

    Miles and His Favorites: The World As Seen By an Eight Year Old

    by Hillary on Thu Nov 08, 2007 at 07:44:26 PM PDT

    • aah (0 / 0)

      oh christ, another thing to worry about!

      by Rachel on Thu Nov 08, 2007 at 08:44:15 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

    • asdf (0 / 0)

      You never know. One of my boys was 6 when he stuffed a plastic bead up his nose on Halloween a few years ago. That was an ER visit! I'd have thought the kid had more sense.

      Another kid in this GHB thing is a 10 year old. "Australia's New South Wales state minister for fair trading, Linda Burney, ordered the toys removed from stores there Tuesday after a 2-year-old boy and a 10-year-old girl were admitted to a Sydney hospital after swallowing large quantities of the beads."

      As one of my friends says to her kids, "Were you with your head when you did that?"

      by jennifree2bme on Thu Nov 08, 2007 at 09:15:00 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      • Ah yes... (0 / 0)

        one of my sons did the bead-up-his-nose thing at age five.  Why did he do it?  According to him, his sisters dared him to stick the bead up his nose.

        One of my mother's favorite stories involves her sticking a kernel of corn up her nose.  She has no memory of actually sticking it up her nose, but vividly remembers asking her mother, over and over, what would happen to someone who stuck a kernel of corn up her nose.  This required a visit to the doctor, too.

        by tjb22 on Thu Nov 08, 2007 at 09:18:22 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

      • 10 years old? (0 / 0)

        makes you wonder if there was an older sibling involved who had heard that you could get buzzed off the beads.  In fact, I am wondering if there was any knowledge of this side effect among kids.

        Miles and His Favorites: The World As Seen By an Eight Year Old

        by Hillary on Fri Nov 09, 2007 at 03:38:56 AM PDT

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        • that was my first thought... (0 / 0)

          And now it's in the media as an idea, so I'm sure it'll happen. The news reports here in Australia are coming in that "experts are afraid" that teenagers that are graduating from high school this week (with this weekend's resulting parties) will get the bright idea to get their hands on the things and use them as drugs. Well...if they didn't have the idea before, they certainly do now!

          by aussieyank on Fri Nov 09, 2007 at 03:56:10 AM PDT

          [ Parent ]

  • Curious George (0 / 0)

    has lead in him too and has just been recalled.  

    This was on Madeline's Xmas list.  I give up!!!!

    "We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of the dream..."

    by 1plain1peanut on Fri Nov 09, 2007 at 06:47:20 AM PDT

  • WaPo Article this morning (0 / 0)

    The chemical suspected in Wednesday's recall of Aqua Dots products -- 1,4-butanediol -- is banned for use in toys in the United States, and independent labs would have to test for it, said Donald L. Mays, senior director for product safety at Consumers Union.

    Link

    That is, of course, if we had federal legislation requiring such testing.  Apparently, congress is starting to consider the possibility that leaving it to the toy companies to voluntarily test their products might not be working so great.

    So, there is actually something we can do(besides not buying anything made in China, which is pretty hard).  We can all contact our legislators and let them know we support this new regulation.

    Miles and His Favorites: The World As Seen By an Eight Year Old

    by Hillary on Fri Nov 09, 2007 at 07:01:06 AM PDT

  • Late to this party (0 / 0)

    but I for one do not think it's a coincidence that China just announced that they are diversifying their investments in the dollar, causing the Dow to fall more than 300 points.

    Official reason is that the dollar is weak right now, which it is, but I think China also sees legislation/regulation on the horizon and is warning our gov't what will happen if they turn up the heat too far.

    So yeah, I'm getting pretty bitter about all of this (not just toys but the safety of all of our consumer products, as mentioned upthread) and a little paranoid. Except I don't really think I am paranoid.

    RachelD

    by RachelD on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:08:21 PM PDT

Permalink | 49 comments