The crayons, which were imported from overseas, were sold in Dora the Explorer, Peppa Pig and Disney packaging.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has released a statement urging people not to panic after tests revealed that a number of children’s crayons imported from overseas contained traces of asbestos.
The ACCC became aware that the wax crayons – which were sold in Disney, Dora the Explorer, Arti Craft and Peppa Pig packaging – may have had levels of asbestos present in July and have now confirmed that testing has identified traces of asbestos in a number of products.
Click through for the crayons the ACCC has identified as having traces of asbestos.
Although the ACCC does not believe that the level of asbestos present in the crayons presents a safety risk to consumers, workplace safety obligations have been triggered in light of the discovery and suppliers have been instructed to stop selling the contaminated crayons and to offer customer an exchange or refund.
So what should you do if you believe you might have brought the crayons in question?
1. Don’t panic.
Although the ACCC acknowledges that any level of asbestos is unacceptable, as the asbestos is fixed within the crayon the risk of inhalation or ingestion has been diminished.
The Heads of Workplace Safety Authorities (HWSA) Imported Materials With Asbestos Working Group Rapid Response Protocol has been triggered and authorities are working to establish the presence of asbestos in workplaces (such as retail outlets and schools).
2. Return or dispose of the crayons.
The ACCC advises that consumers who believe they may have the contaminated crayons should either return or dispose of the product. The ACCC told News Corp that they have not recalled the products in question as it is not believed that the crayons pose a safety risk.
The response protocol that has been triggered has led state and territory authorities to contact suppliers to make them aware of their obligation to both remove the stock and also to establish collection points for customers returning the products.
Top Comments
If it's not a risk why ask people to put them ina sealed plastic bag and take them to an asbestos dumping facility
Exactly. The free trade agreement is going to make stories like this more common too.