Shelby Esses: A mother's intuition exposes a toy hazard

When 20-month old Jacob Esses ended up in an inexplicable coma last October, one person was sure she knew the answers that the doctors couldn’t find—his mom. Shelby Esses was certain her son’s frightening state was due to the Aqua Dots beads he had swallowed earlier that day. Esses was so confident that as she waited for news about her son’s condition, she asked her mother and mother-in-law to scour store shelves for Aqua Dots looking for the ingredients on the package. 

Fortunately, six hours after falling into a coma, Jacob woke up.  Determined to find out what had caused her son to become so severely ill, Esses didn't give up her search until she found the answer. And after she did, she took a number of steps that illustrate what one person can do to make a difference.

When her son became sick, Esses did all of the right things: She contacted the company that manufactured Aqua Dots to inform them of her son’s condition. She asked for the toy’s ingredient list and even submitted this list to the toxicology lab at her son’s hospital. The lab results showed that the toy was indeed toxic—it contained ingredients that when ingested metabolized into GHB, also known as the date-rape drug. Her information helped lead to a recall of Aqua Dots on November 7, 2007. The recall of 4.2 million sets was one of the fastest toy recalls in U.S. history.

But Esses didn’t stop at the recall. In the following months, she and several other parents of children who also suffered injuries from toys, played a critical role in lobbying Congress to enact tougher safety rules. She was an articulate spokeswoman who helped to put a human face on the issue.  As she told her story in Congress: “I was angry.  I am still angry. I think that there needs to be a few changes made for toys and other children's products that are sold in the United States.”

Among other things, Esses believes that products should be tested by independent labs to ensure that they do not contain lead or other harmful ingredients and that companies should post phone numbers on their Web sites for parents to call with questions about products.

The good news for all parents, families and caregivers is that both the Senate and the House of Representatives have just passed new legislation governing the safety of toys. The language of the two measures needs to be reconciled so we end up with one powerful bill. We are hopeful that Congress will get to work and do just that in the days ahead. When that happens, we will have Esses, among others, to thank.

For her efforts, we are naming Esses one of our safety crusaders. If you know someone who should be a safety crusader please let us know.

Comments

[Meghan]

I also have to wonder why the 20 month old was playing with this, as the pieces are way too small. I'm glad her son is ok, but if you look at the recall, it states he ingested several dozen beads?

Anyway, I am appalled that this toy contained a substance that metabolized into GHB! And I commend the mother for her actions.

[Julio Aviles Perez]

These valuable information should be available to other countries so we all can work together to protects the humanity.

Thanks, Julio Puerto Rico

[Ron]

Companies which import this Chinese "JUNK" should be held accountable by the CPSC with fines heavy enough to make them think twice about doing it again. Chinese manufacturers should be held accountable by being barred from exporting items to the US if they have a second recall of any of their products. I know this sounds isolationist, but if this keeps recurring, China should be put on notice to have their companies clean up their (collective)act or we will halt all imports from China for a specific period of time. Years ago, I was proud that Wal-Mart was able to boast Made In USA. Too bad they can't make that claim now. I would do more business with them if they could.

[Frank Lafferty]

Made in China, again. Ain't the global economy just wonderful. Cheap products made with cheap labor and with zero concern for human life.

[Margaret Imle]

Also of concern are those that did not get removed from shelves and, in fact, might become available to kids/teen seeking to abuse its use for drug effects. All resale shops should be notified of need to remove the product. Perhaps the best way to remove such products is to provide a postage-paid labels for all returns, and recongnition for having complied. This promotes responsible behavior by businesses affected.

[georgepwebster]

Just don't buy any Chinese-made product that may be ingested into the body.

Instead of rushing off to Wal-Mart for the latest shiny thing; why doesn't Consumer Reports take a look at buying second-hand USA made items at thrift stores, etc. Intelligent consumers don't always buy new. Though, Goodwills now sell new made-in- China junk. They even sold toothpaste in Austin Texas. You could re-review especially sturdy "best-buys" of the past. So many iconic American products aren't really American anymore, ie. Hunter Original Ceiling Fans, not really original anymore, or made in the USA. Once in a while, maybe you could run a counter-point side-bar: "Do you really need this graphite/stainless steel solar powered thingamajig?"

[Sharon]

I agree with Andrea. When challenged to find materials non-toxic to humans, companies can respond successfully as 'necessity becomes the mother of invention.' Removal of lead from paint is one example. There will be push-back from companies as the Boston Globe recently described from jewelery companies with regards to lead content, but we should not let them off the hook when public health or safety is at issue and rare exceptions and transitions should have very strong and visible warnings on products.

[mary quigley]

You don't think a date rape drug would have an effect on a 10 year old. C'mon!

[Judith Horton]

There is no better activist or advocate than a mother whose child is in danger. I am glad to learn that Jacob is now OK.
We all need to be pro-active in matters relating to toy safety.
As we've been seeing, toys manufactured in other countries may have inferior or no quality control. Our system in the US is imperfect at best. We have to exercise our own quality control on
behalf of our families.

[Lyn Canon]

Actually, it says it's for ages 4+. Probably got as a gift for her other child, since no Mom in her right mind would want a million tiny beads all over her floor to step on. Not a toy a sane person would buy for their kid. What's up with China that every single product recalled for toxic issues comes from there? What kind of mentality must you have to continually put severely toxic chemicals into things used by children or pets or anyone? Are they human over there?? I thought honor was utmost over there - so you'd think they'd be even more conscientious than we are! I don't get it. If they don't stop, we'll have to ban everything from China, and since pretty much everything comes from there - what are we gonna do then?? The powers that be REALLY need to have a closer look at this issue NOW. Write your congressment and senators and demand it!

[Peter]

Good work, Shelby!

[Alessandra]

Regardless of the child's age, this Mother did the right thing. I am sure somebody pointed to the fact that this toy was indeed for 10 yr olds. She sure shook up the industry and brought safer standards for our children.

[Andrea]

Perhaps she has another child who the toy actually belonged to and the 20 - month old got his hands on it by accident. Regardless, toys this harmfull should not be on the market. Wouldn't it do the same thing to a 10 year old if accidentally ingested?

[adele]

Why is a 20 month old playing with that toy? It is recommended for 10 year olds.