US, Aussie Officials Yank GHB-Producing Toys

theodp writes "Questioned about concerns over China-made toys, Toys 'R' Us CEO Jerry Storch predicted 'this will be the safest holiday season ever.' Oops. On the same day Storch's interview ran in Fortune, Toys 'R' Us joined other North American and Australian retailers to pull millions of Chinese-made toy bead sets from shelves after scientists found they contain a chemical that when ingested metabolizes into GHB, the date-rape drug gamma hydroxy butyrate. Two children in the US and three in Australia were hospitalized after swallowing the beads."

Re:So...

[Anonymous Coward]

I could give you more than a handful of first-person stories involving GHB. When taken at the correct dose, and in the absence of other depressants like alcohol or pills, GHB is a good time -- almost like being drunk, but a little bit more druggy-feeling.

Mix with alcohol, and you're out like a light for about 3-6 hours (or more, with higher doses). This earned GHB its reputation as a date-rape drug.

Though none of the articles seem to say, I am guessing the chemical on the beads was GBL, or gammabutyrolactone, most often seen as a floor cleaner and MUCH less safe to ingest than GHB itself.

Not really

[jbeaupre]

I actually had to research how big something you swallowed had to be before doctors became concerned. The the rule of thumb seems to be stuff about the size of a quarter (2.4 cm) or larger is trouble. Assuming it's not sharp or poisonous. Granted, anything could be a problem, but the doctors seem to have a wait and see policy for small stuff. Safer to let it pass than trying to go in and get it. They often wait for the large stuff too, but the ilealcecal valve is where stuff tends to get stuck.

So for non-toxic beads, hospitalization might not be necessary, but at least ask a doctor to evaluate your kid.

Re:This just in!

[Bob-taro]

Seriously, what kind of kid eats non-edible beads when they are 10 years old?

Although the article uses the word "ingested", I wonder if putting a bead in your mouth would do the same thing. It's not the entire bead, but the "glue" coating that has the chemical. Still sounds like a silly thing to do, but kids are often silly. Maybe the beads taste good - didn't I just see a post where someone said GHB tastes salty?

Re:Chinese manufacturers always cut corners

[BcNexus]

I choose not to shop at Walmart so as to not directly and indirectly encourage manufacturers to cut corners.

National Security

[mcrbids]

This is why the Chinese manufacturers are getting in trouble. They are substituting cheaper, UNSAFE alternatives into commonly produced goods and then sending them off. The sad part is, the number of injuries and deaths we see in the U.S. and other countries, is *nothing* compared to the the number injuries and death suffered by the Chinese consumer.

I agree with everything you said. But what this also shows us is the effect that China has on our national security!

With everything being manufactured in China, out of our hands and control, what's to stop the Chinese from deciding to "taint" products essential to our national security? What if the Chinese Govt simply ordered the cessation of manufacturing certain things that we really need?

China has tied their currency to the dollar making their money artificially cheap. This has caused all our manufacturing capacity to go to China. Short term, US benefits. Long term, China holds the cards.

And we're OK with this?