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Nov 8, 2007 1:00 pm US/Eastern
Hot Toy Recalled For 'Date Rape Drug' Danger
Kids Ingest Aqua Dots, End Up In Hospital
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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If ingested, the beads in Aqua Dots can be metabolized into GHB, or the "date rape drug."
Gregg Geller/CBS
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Before the safety recall, Toy Wishes magazine named Aqua Dots one of its Hot Dozen toys for the holiday season.
Gregg Geller/CBS
One of the hottest toys of the holiday season is being pulled off shelves because of a potential drug danger. Scientists say "Aqua Dots" contain a chemical that converts into a substance that has similar effects to a powerful "date rape" drug.
The toy was hailed as one of the most innovative toys of the year by Toy Wishes magazine, but now at least three children have been rushed to the hospital after ingesting the product and losing consciousness.
Toy Wishes magazine has since encouraged parents "to take this toy away from their children and follow the directions related to the recall at aquadotsrecall.com or cpsc.gov."
In the United States, the toy goes by the name Aqua Dots -- a super-popular holiday toy distributed by Toronto-based Spin Master Toys.
These Chinese-made toys have been pulled from the shelves in North America and Australia after scientists found they contain a chemical that converts into a substance like the powerful "date-rape" drug gamma hydroxy butyrate, also known as GHB, when eaten.
It causes unconsciousness, seizures, drowsiness, coma and even death.
Toy Wishes reported, "The issue was caused by ingredient substitution in the manufacturing process; the original glue used in this product was replaced by a glue that had not been tested."
One English girl was rushed to the hospital after swallowing the toy beads.
"I hope they go off the market so little children won't eat them so no more accidents happen with them," said Charlotte Lehane.
The Aqua Dots toys, which made Wal-Mart's list of the Top 12 Christmas toys, are also called "Bindeez" in Australia, where they were also named Toy of the Year. They're also being recalled there.
The toy beads are sold in general merchandise stores and over the Internet for use in arts-and-crafts projects. They can be arranged into designs and fused together when sprayed with water.
Of course, parents are concerned.
"You definitely have to be careful, so I am sticking with names that have been around a long time," said parent Janet Larson.
Another parent, Dana Micheli, said, "I don't know if things necessarily are being thoroughly inspected before being put out on the market."
Toys R Us and Wal-Mart have already pulled the products off their Web sites.
"The manufacturer, of course, is responsible; but at the end of the day, parents are even more responsible for their own children," Jim Silver, editor in chief of Toy Wishes magazine, told WCBSTV.com.
"Parents of young children should watch what they are buying. If your child is putting things in his or her mouth, parents should make sure that they don't have access to any toys with small parts they can ingest."
Click Here For Aqua Dots Recall Information
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