The global retailer Claire’s Stores Inc says tests have shown its children’s makeup to be asbestos-free after it was forced to remove nine products from shelves when a news report claimed that tremolite asbestos had been found in them. Read the full article on CNN here.
Returns to be honoured
Tremolite asbestos, as with all types of asbestos, is dangerous if fibres are inhaled or swallowed, and can lead to deadly cancers including mesothelioma as well as lung cancer. The company is yet to decide whether the products will return to the shelves and says it will still honour returns from those who feel uncomfortable about letting their children use the products. It also said additional testing was to take place.
Ongoing uncertainty
The tests were carried out by two certified independent laboratories and concluded that the products were entirely free from asbestos and met all government regulations. A scientist from the original lab that said it identified asbestos said the company’s procedures remained questionable. Sean Fitzgerald, director at the Scientific Analytical Institute claimed the company had failed to retest the same products. The lab said asbestos was found in 24 different talc-based products such as blushes, compact powders and eye shadows.
However, a rep for Claire’s said that products with the same SKU numbers as those tested by Fitzgerald had been tested elsewhere, saying that requests for Fitzgerald’s detailed test data had been declined. Fitzgerald said he had sent a lab summary alongside images of the asbestos fibres, with the images proving that asbestos fibres were present.
Why was asbestos used in the past?
Before the dangers of asbestos were acknowledged, the materials were used extensively in building construction, the textile industry and fireproofing due to their natural heat and fire resistance. In the UK the use, importation supply of asbestos and asbestos containing products has been completely banned, yet asbestos can still be found in a large number of homes and businesses, especially buildings constructed prior to the 1985.
Around 5,000 people die each year from cancers related to asbestos, with the numbers continuing to increase. Various forms of legislation have been introduced over the years to reduce the chances of people being exposed to asbestos, but there is still a great deal of work to be done to save lives.
How Acorn can help
At Acorn Analytical Services, we can help your business become asbestos compliant. We can identify gaps in your existing compliance procedures, carrying out new surveys, updating and reviewing your asbestos records, creating new asbestos management plans and putting asbestos materials in a safe condition. We are completely independent and impartial UKAS accredited asbestos consultants with no links to any asbestos removals companies. Our impartiality and independence mean we can provide you with accurate, balanced best practice advice regardless of what we find on your site.
Asbestos testing timeline
If you suspect that there are asbestos materials on your site, we will need to take a representative sample and analyse it in compliance with the ISO 17205 standard at one of our UKAS accredited labs. The analysis will also comply with the HSG248 ‘Asbestos: The analysts’ guide for sampling, analysis and clearance procedures’. Our two locations enable us to offer a national service. Contact us today to get a quote for asbestos testing.
Contacting Acorn Analytical Services
You can get in touch with us today to find out more about our asbestos compliance services. There are many ways to contact us, including using the form on our website and calling us. We can also be found on various social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Talk to us today if you suspect asbestos may be present on your site and you require an independent, impartial asbestos compliance service. Don’t hesitate to get in touch to find out more.
