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From: dsn@umcp-cs.UUCP (Dana S. Nau)
Newsgroups: net.kids,net.consumers
Subject: Re: "Comfy" Dolls
Message-ID: <2696@umcp-cs.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 4-Jan-86 20:09:01 EST
Article-I.D.: umcp-cs.2696
Posted: Sat Jan  4 20:09:01 1986
Date-Received: Mon, 6-Jan-86 03:25:04 EST
References: <1342@pyuxa.UUCP>
Reply-To: dsn@maryland.UUCP (Dana S. Nau)
Organization: U of Maryland, Computer Science Dept., College Park, MD
Lines: 29
Xref: watmath net.kids:2420 net.consumers:3755

In article <1342@pyuxa.UUCP> barb@pyuxa.UUCP (B E Nemeth) writes:
>I thought I would pass on some info I heard regarding "Comfy" dolls. ...
>It seems the doll's stuffing is contaminated with insecticide/pesticide. ...

According to a UPI article in the Dec. 29 Washington Post, the Los Angeles
county health dept. has found six "Komfy Kid" dolls to be contaminated with
phenol.  Several other chemicals also were found, including Malathion in one
of the dolls.  The article says these chemicals are "similar to those
discovered in at least 8000 'Cabbage Patch'-type dolls last week by health
officials."

The article says there are no "substantiated reports" of a child becoming
ill because of the dolls, but that health officials are asking all consumers
who have noticed kerosene-like odors in such dolls to either send them back
or take them to the health department.

The Komfy Kid dolls are imported from Taiwan, and are marketed by Abernathy
and Closther (whom health workers have been unable to contact!).  The
article speculates that Abernathy and Closther may also market the "Popcorn
Kid" and "Chocolate Kid" dolls.

According to the article, the Consumer Product Safety Commission doesn't
think the dolls pose a "significant health threat"--but the LA County Health
Dept. says the CPSC is only concerned with toys that cause acute illness
and death, and does not address chronic, long-term effects on health.
-- 

Dana S. Nau, Comp Sci Dept, U of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742
dsn@maryland	seismo!umcp-cs!dsn	(301) 454-7932