The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in cooperation with Spin Master Toys, today announced a voluntary recall of about 4.2 Million packages of Aqua Dots.

The coating on the beads that causes the beads to stick to each other when water is added contains a chemical that can turn toxic when many are ingested. Children who swallow the beads can become comatose, develop respiratory depression, or have seizures.

CPSC has received two reports over the past several days of children swallowing Aqua Dots. A 20-month-old child swallowed several dozen beads. He became dizzy and vomited several times before slipping into a comatose state for a period of time, was hospitalized, and has since fully recovered. A second child also vomited and slipped into a comatose state and was hospitalized for five days.

The recalled toy is a craft kit which allows children to create various multi-dimensional designs using small colored beads. The beads fuse together when sprayed with water. The recall applies to all models of Aqua Dots. The product is available in various different kits with accessories such as a drying fan, applicator pen, design templates for the beads, and spray bottle. The product is labeled for ages 4+.

The Aqua Dots were sold at mass merchandisers nationwide from April 2007 through November 2007 for between $17 and $30.

Parents are being asked to immediately take the recalled toy away from children and contact Spin Master to return for free replacement beads or a toy of equal value.

For additional information, contact Spin Master at (800) 622-8339 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.aquadotsrecall.com

Three children have been taken to hospital in the past two weeks after eating the beads, which have been found to contain a chemical that breaks down into the potentially fatal drug fantasy, also known as GHB or GBH.

Distributor Moose Enterprise said today that parents and carers of children should immediately remove the product.

“The company has advised that if the product has been swallowed, parents should seek immediate medical attention, even if the child is not showing any adverse symptoms,” the company said.

Named as Australia’s 2007 Toy of the Year, the Bindeez range of craft toys has been pulled from shelves nationwide after Victoria today joined the other states in imposing a formal ban on its sale.

The company said the safety of children is its first priority.

“In order to best protect the safety of children who have, or may, come into contact with the toy, the company has voluntarily recalled the product and is fully co-operating with health and consumer affairs organisations,” the company said.

It said the toys were made by internationally approved manufacturers in China and were subject to world-standard independent testing.

“Moose Enterprise has not experienced any safety concerns with its products since the company was purchased by its current management team six years ago,” the company said.

I am not sure if this toy was sold in North America? Probably just through Ebay…

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