High levels of arsenic and lead have been found in unbranded tins of magnetic putty by Northamptonshire Trading Standards Service.
An investigation found that magnetic putty being sold on a market stall had seven times the amount of arsenic and twice the amount of lead permitted in the squishy compound.
Arsenic is an element that occurs in nature, however, in its inorganic form used in industrial processes, long-term exposure can cause cancer. Childhood exposure to arsenic and lead has been linked to the impairment of cognitive development and an increased death-rate in young adults.
The product was also found to be sold online via Amazon’s UK website, leading to the internet company removing it from sale.
An image on BBC’s website showed that the putty withdrawn from the Amazon website was sold by a third party that described themselves as Norwegian Naturals.
It was also discovered that the small cube-shaped magnet that was included in the tin contained 29 times in excess of the magnetic force that is allowed.
The magnetic cube was also “…of a size that could be easily swallowed…”, according to Trading Standards. The product’s packaging – in the form of a tin – did warn that it was not suitable for 0-3 years of age, however, it did not have a CE mark to indicate that it compiled with toy safety regulations nor did detail the manufacturer or importer of the product.
