Crayons, Clays & Toy Kits (Talc Contamination)
Asbestos has been found repeatedly in children's crayons, modelling clays, and forensic toy kits sold in the US since 2000. Contamination originates from talc, a mineral naturally found alongside asbestos deposits.
* The end date of asbestos use varies by country depending on when it was banned. See the ban year next to each country below.
Description
Between 2000 and 2015, three independent laboratory investigations uncovered asbestos fibres in children's crayons, modelling clays, and toy forensic kits sold across the United States. In every case, the contamination was traced to talc — a soft mineral used as a binding agent in crayons and as dusting powder in fingerprint kits — which is frequently mined from deposits interwoven with asbestos.
The most recent study was commissioned in 2015 by the Environmental Working Group Action Fund (EWG) and carried out by the government-licensed Scientific Analytical Institute (SAI) of Greensboro, North Carolina. SAI tested 28 boxes of crayons and 21 crime-scene fingerprint kits. Tremolite or chrysotile asbestos fibres were detected in four crayon products and two toy kits:
- Saban Power Rangers Super Megaforce Crayons (Greenbrier International) - Disney Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Crayons (Greenbrier International) - Nickelodeon's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Crayons (MII Inc.) - Amscan Crayons (Amscan) - EduScience Deluxe Forensics Lab Kit (sold at Toys "R" Us) - Inside Intelligence Secret Spy Kit (Buy-Rite)
Earlier investigations had produced similar findings. A 2000 study first exposed asbestos in crayons, though the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) concluded the presence was "scientifically insignificant." In 2007, the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) found asbestos in a CSI: Crime Scene Investigation branded fingerprint kit manufactured in China. A 2009 class-action settlement forced CBS and major retailers to remove the kits from shelves and issue refunds. Those same 2007 tests also detected asbestos in ArtSkills Clay Bucket and Ja-Ru Toy Clay.
Despite three rounds of confirmed contamination over 15 years, the CPSC has no specific policy on asbestos in crayons, and Congress has not passed legislation banning asbestos in children's products. The CPSC requires a measurable minimum of 1% of a material to be listed as "asbestos-containing material," but OSHA policy states there is no safe level of asbestos exposure.
The crime-scene fingerprint kits were considered a greater risk than crayons because the loose powder is more easily inhaled by children. While no documented case of asbestos-related disease has been directly attributed to crayons or toys, the long latency period (20-50 years) makes such attribution extremely difficult.
As Dr. Richard Lemen, former US Assistant Surgeon General, stated: "Children are more vulnerable to toxic material and carcinogens. And because they are so young, they have a longer latency in which to develop these diseases."
Countries where commonly found
Commercial brands
How to identify
The specific products identified in laboratory testing include: any crayons manufactured by Greenbrier International (often sold as licensed character crayons including Power Rangers, Disney, etc.), MII Inc. crayons (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles branded), and Amscan crayons. Toy forensic or fingerprint kits containing talc-based dusting powder are also suspect, particularly the EduScience Deluxe Forensics Lab Kit (Toys "R" Us), Inside Intelligence Secret Spy Kit (Buy-Rite), and any CSI-branded crime scene kits. Modelling clays including ArtSkills Clay Bucket and Ja-Ru Toy Clay were also found to contain asbestos. Most contaminated products were manufactured in China and sold at discount and mass-market retailers. Talc-containing products are not required to carry asbestos warnings, so label reading alone is insufficient to identify risk.
Health risk & friability
This material has a risk level of 3 out of 5.
It is classified as friable, meaning asbestos fibers can be released into the air with minimal disturbance. This makes it one of the more dangerous asbestos-containing materials. Any work on or near this material should only be carried out by licensed professionals with appropriate containment measures.
What to do if you find this material
If you have any of the specifically identified products, stop using them and keep them away from children. Crayons with intact wax present lower risk as the fibres are bound in the wax matrix, but broken crayons or crayon dust can release fibres. Fingerprint kits with loose talc-based powder present higher risk because the powder is easily inhaled. Place suspect products in a sealed plastic bag and dispose of them — do not allow children to use talc-based fingerprint or dusting powders from toy kits. If you are concerned about past exposure, note that the risk from brief, incidental contact with trace contamination in crayons is considered very low. However, if a child has repeatedly used talc-based fingerprint kit powders over an extended period, consult a physician. For future purchases, consider wax crayons from manufacturers that certify their products as talc-free, and avoid toy kits containing loose powder or dust.
Frequently asked questions
Why do crayons contain asbestos?
How dangerous are asbestos-contaminated crayons?
Are crayons regulated for asbestos in the US?
Which brands of crayons were found to contain asbestos?
Is talc always contaminated with asbestos?
Related materials
Other asbestos-containing materials you might encounter.
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