Ask A Scientist© General Science Archive

 >>    name         Jeff
 >>    status       other
 >>    age          40s

 >>    Question -   The story came out yesterday that crayons contain >> 
asbestos, even though they are "certified non-toxic".  I heard other >> 
stories that maybe the test results showing asbestos may have been >> 
flawed.  How do you determine who is right-the manufacturer or these 
new >tests?


Hello,

I also heard the story that two laboratories have tested 40 samples of 
crayons and found 32 of them to be contaminated.  Samples are said to be 
from different manufacturers.   One must rely on the credibility of the 
paper reporting this, the report itself, and the laboratories that carried 
out the testing to believe the news.   What was missing in the report was 
the reasons these labs undertook the test in the first place.    It is also 
unclear from the report whether the contamination was in the bulk of the 
crayons or on the surface.   The report did indicate that the amount of 
contamination was above trace levels, but did not say by how much.

In any case, it is quite conceivable that one or more of the ingredients of 
crayon might have asbestos contamination; asbestos, after all, is found in 
many products (see this web site for a 
list:  http://www.epa.gov/earth1r6/6pd/pd-t/asbmatl.htm?).
We need confirmation and validation of these tests by other independent 
labs and an accurate indication of the level of contamination first. This 
should not take long because the test is rather simple.
It may very well turn out that although the contamination level is higher 
than trace levels, it is no more dangerous than breathing air which 
contains many natural and man-made toxic agents.   Besides, it is not clear 
to me how asbestos in crayons can be airborne and inhaled.
All in all, I think caution (and not panic) is the proper course of action 
until the matter is settled.
AK


Dr. Ali Khounsary
Advanced Photon Source
Argonne National Laboratory
Argonne, IL 60439
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