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Asbestos has been found in packages of Milton Bradley's "Fibro-Clay." Asbestos has been shown to cause cancer of the lung and other organs. The Commission is concerned that children in schools where Fibro-Clay is used might be exposed to airborne asbestos in view of the powdered composition of the product.
For further information, consumers may call the Milton Bradley Company (413) 525-6411.
Recall Details
Washington, D.C. -- The Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Milton Bradley Company of Springfield, Massachusetts, have been advised that asbestos has been found in packages of Milton Bradley's "Fibro-Clay", a school art modeling compound used to make paper mache. The company is voluntarily recalling the product.
The Commission is taking immediate action to assure that manufacturers have not resumed using asbestos in this or any similar school art supplies and to assure that no additional lots of the old products containing asbestos exist. This will be accomplished through a nationwide sampling and testing program of distributors of this type of product.
Milton Bradley made Fibro-Clay from 1967 until 1975, when it ceased manufacture of the product. The firm stated that no asbestos has been used in the formula since 1972, and that the quantity sold by its Educational Division was relatively small.
Schools and consumers are advised to stop using Milton Bradley Fibro-Clay, even though the presence of asbestos may be limited to only a small percentage of this product. The Commission recommends placing the product in a plastic bag, trying to disturb the product as little as possible, and cleaning any areas contacted by the Fibro-Clay with water.
Asbestos has been shown to cause cancer of the lung and other organs according to studies of workers and others exposed to asbestos. The Commission is concerned that children in schools where Fibro-Clay is used might be exposed to airborne asbestos in view of the powdered composition of the product. School authorities in Wayne, New Jersey, recently identified asbestos in Fibro-Clay.
The Commission has been alerted to this matter by a WCBS-TV broadcast in New York City and by a letter from Dr. Irving J. Selikoff, a Professor at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City, describing recent tests of the product he conducted.
For further information, consumers may call the Milton Bradley Company (413) 525-6411, or the Consumer Product Safety Commission's toll-free Hotline on 800-638-CPSC. A teletypewriter number for the hearing impaired is (800) 638-8270.
Schools and consumers are advised to stop using Milton Bradley Fibro-Clay, even though the presence of asbestos may be limited to only a small percentage of this product. The Commission recommends placing the product in a plastic bag, trying to disturb the product as little as possible, and cleaning any areas contacted by the Fibro-Clay with water.
Note: Individual Commissioners may have statements related to this topic. Please visit www.cpsc.gov/commissioners to search for statements related to this or other topics.
If you are experiencing issues with a recall remedy or believe a company is being non-responsive to your remedy request, please use this form and explain the situation to CPSC.
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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. Since the CPSC was established more than 50 years ago, it has worked to ensure the safety of consumer products, which has contributed to a decline in injuries associated with these products.
Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission ordered recall or a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the CPSC.
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