KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - Public Health - Seattle & King County is working with federal and state agencies to determine the significance of the risk posed by asbestos allegedly found in various children's crayons. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has a scientist currently researching the issue to assess exposure and any potential health risk to children. Public Health plans to review the progress of the CPSC research and their ultimate assessment of the degree of risk.

"The main message for parents at this point is to make sure that their children are not eating non-food items, crayons included." says Alonzo Plough, Director of Public Health - Seattle & King County. "The recent study just helps to remind parents of the hazards that may be associated with consuming non-food items."

Although there is no safe level of exposure level to asbestos, crayons are not the only potential source of asbestos exposure in the urban environment. Asbestos fibers in the outdoor air of cities can range from 2 to 300 asbestos fibers per cubic meter of air, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Asbestos fibers have also been used in various household, commercial and industrial products including spray-on popcorn ceilings, automotive brakes, roofing paper, roofing and siding shingles, vinyl floor tiles, plaster, cement, wraps around hot water and steam pipes, and fireproof linings on stoves and furnaces.

There are many potential environmental risks to children within the household environment. The following are tips for promoting good household environmental health:

• Remove your child's access to household sources of lead, such as peeling lead-based paint, contaminated dirt, lead containing home remedies and lead residues from home hobbies and occupational exposures.
• Ensure that the indoor air quality in your home is safe (including the elimination of tobacco smoke).
• Cover bare dirt in the yard with thick grass or play chips
• Have your kids thoroughly wash their hands prior to eating or going to bed.
• Reduce or eliminate your use of pesticides and other toxic household products.
• Properly dispose of household hazardous waste.

For additional information on environmental hazards call the Public Health Household Hazards Line at (206) 296-4692.