Keep Asbestos Out of Crayons!

The EPA bans asbestos from most new products, but the known carcinogen finds its way into products you'd never expect. A new Environmental Working Group (EWG) report found four different brands of crayons and children's crime scene fingerprint kits tested positive for asbestos. All were purchased at national retail stores.

Tests in 2000 and 2007 found these Chinese-manufactured toys tested positive for asbestos, yet toy companies continue to sell them. Many children chew on crayons, and they can easily inhale asbestos fibers when using fingerprint detective kits. Even trace amounts of the substance can cause mesothelioma and breathing problems, yet none of the toys tested had warning labels related to asbestos.

Senators Edward Markey (D-MA) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced legislation that would better inform the public about where asbestos has been found. The Reducing Exposure to Asbestos Database (READ) Act would require manufacturers, importers, and people who regularly handle asbestos-containing products to report information regularly to the EPA, who would keep a database of where asbestos has been used in the past year. This would reduce the harmful impacts of asbestos on consumers and their children. Please sign the petition to urge legislators to support the READ Act!

We, the undersigned, are concerned with the continuing use of asbestos in common products. A new Environmental Working Group (EWG) report found four different brands of crayons and children's crime scene fingerprint kits tested positive for asbestos. All were purchased at national retail stores.

Tests in 2000 and 2007 found these Chinese-manufactured toys tested positive for asbestos, yet toy companies continue to sell them. Many children chew on crayons, and they can easily inhale asbestos fibers when using fingerprint detective kits. Even trace amounts of the substance can cause mesothelioma and breathing problems, yet none of the toys tested had warning labels related to asbestos.

Senators Edward Markey (D-MA) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced legislation that would better inform the public about where asbestos has been found. The Reducing Exposure to Asbestos Database (READ) Act would require manufacturers, importers, and people who regularly handle asbestos-containing products to report information regularly to the EPA, who would keep a database of where asbestos has been used in the past year. This would reduce the harmful impacts of asbestos on consumers and their children. We respectfully urge you to support the READ Act. Thank you for taking the time to read and consider our petition.

Sign Petition
Sign Petition
You have JavaScript disabled. Without it, our site might not function properly.

Privacy Policy

By signing, you accept Care2's Terms of Service.
You can unsub at any time here.

Having problems signing this? Let us know.