Primark has issued an urgent recall of two Halloween gonk doorstep decorations over fears they could contain asbestos.
The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) warned that sand used as filling inside the seasonal ornaments may be contaminated with a small amount of the hazardous substance.
Breathing asbestos can be incredibly dangerous. “Tiny asbestos fibres can get stuck in the lungs and irritate lung tissues, and the diseases can be serious or even fatal”, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
Shoppers have been told to stop using the products straight away and ensure they are kept away from children. The retailer is offering full refunds at any of its stores.
The products could contain asbestos
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PRIMARK
The two affected items are Gonk decorations, one wearing a pumpkin hat and another sporting a witch hat with grey hair. They can be identified by model numbers 991174794 and 991179148, with corresponding barcodes 212047125 and 212080261.
The OPSS stated: “The products present a risk to health as the sand sealed inside the gonks may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos.
“Asbestos is a banned substance because it poses a risk to health even at low levels of exposure. We recommend owners stop using the product immediately and keep out of the reach of children.”
These decorations join a growing list of toys and household products that have been pulled from sale due to asbestos contamination.
Customers who still have the decorations intact should seal them inside a heavy-duty plastic bag, secure with double layers of tape, and attach a clear label before storing them somewhere safe that children cannot access.
Anyone with a damaged decoration where the sand filling is exposed must take extra precautions. Gloves and a face mask should be worn during clean-up, and wet cloths should be used to wipe down the area where the product was kept to prevent any dust from becoming airborne.
Shoppers should stop using the decorations and return them to stores for a refund
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GETTY
Both the gonk itself and any materials used in the cleaning process should then be placed into two sealed bags.
Affected customers can bring the product back to their nearest Primark branch for a complete refund, with no proof of purchase required.
Those who are unable to make it to a store are advised to get in touch with their local authority, which can provide guidance on how to safely dispose of materials containing asbestos.
