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For Immediate Release CPSC Advises Parents, Teachers June 13, 2000 -- EASTON, Pa. -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) today released test results of crayons and concluded there is no cause for concern, and that parents and teachers can continue to use crayons they have and purchase crayons from store shelves. The tests followed reports of concerns about a material used to produce Crayola brand as well as other crayons. "We’re pleased that the CPSC test results reaffirm the safety of our crayons," said Mark Schwab, president and CEO of Binney & Smith, maker of Crayola products. In two Crayola crayons tested, and one Prang crayon, a trace amount of asbestos the CPSC called "so small, it is scientifically insignificant," was found. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) do not consider materials that contain trace levels of asbestos fibers to be a safety concern. CPSC testing showed no scientific basis for a recall. CPSC test results differ from independent testing done by RJ Lee Group, an EPA certified lab operated by a respected authority on asbestos, which showed that Crayola crayons do not contain any asbestos and are safe. In addition, the Los Angeles Unified School District and The Morning Call, a Tribune Company newspaper, conducted their own separate scientific analysis of Crayola crayons. All found the crayons do not contain any asbestos. In Crayola brand and other crayons, CPSC found transitional talc fibers. These fibers, which are similar in appearance to and often misidentified as asbestos, are not asbestos and are not regulated or prohibited by any federal agency. Transitional fibers are naturally occurring in talc, which is used in crayons to add strength and durability. The body of scientific knowledge on talc fibers, in which transitional fibers are included, does not show they pose any known health risk. "Consistent with CPSC test results, we believe there is no risk to children from transitional talc fibers related to using crayons, through either inhalation or ingestion," said Schwab. "Although Crayola crayons remain safe and non-toxic, news reports that talc used in crayons may contain transitional talc fibers and cleavage fragments that are frequently misidentified as asbestos have caused confusion," said Schwab. "Because of that confusion, we are volunteering to reformulate our crayons to eliminate transitional talc fibers. We expect that we’ll be able to begin producing reformulated crayons that are equally safe, with the same quality, within a year." # # #
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