Should Parents Worry About Asbestos in Crayons?

The New York City-based mesothelioma trial attorneys at The Williams Law Firm, P.C., want to echo the concerns of parents nationwide about crayons containing asbestos and the risk of asbestos exposure to art-loving kids.

This latest round of attention on asbestos crayons was spurred by an independent study of select kids products that was conducted by the non-profit Environmental Working Group. It concluded that roughly 1 in 7 boxes of crayons contains asbestos. This backs up a previous study that determined three out of eight mainstream crayon brands contain asbestos.

When taken in conjunction with that fact that the average kid goes through hundreds of crayons before his or her 10th birthday, according to Crayola, the risk of kids being exposed to asbestos this way becomes very real.

Here are three steps parents can take when it comes to protecting their kids from asbestos-laden crayons:

• CRAYON SAFETY STEP NO. 1: START BY READING THE CRAYON BOX. ALTHOUGH THERE’S NO GUARANTEE THAT AMERICAN-MADE CRAYONS DON’T HAVE ASBESTOS, ABATEMENT EFFORTS IN THIS COUNTRY ARE MORE ADVANCED THAN MANY OTHER COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD. (THE EWG STUDY FOUND THAT ALL OF THE CONTAMINATED PRODUCTS IN ITS STUDY WERE MADE IN CHINA.)
• CRAYON SAFETY STEP NO. 2:ENCOURAGE KIDS TO USE OTHER ART TOOLS. SINCE THE CHANCE OF BECOMING SICK FROM ASBESTOS EXPOSURE IS COMPOUNDED BY THE AMOUNT OF TIME SOMEONE WAS EXPOSED, OFFER KIDS AMERICAN-MADE COLORED PENCILS, MARKERS AND PAINTS INSTEAD OF CRAYONS.
• CRAYON SAFETY STEP NO. 3:WRITE TO YOUR CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND DEMAND THAT THE U.S. CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION BAN ASBESTOS IN CRAYONS AND TOYS. ALSO, ENCOURAGE LAWMAKERS TO SUPPORT ADDITIONAL ASBESTOS TRANSPARENCY LEGISLATION.

If you’ve become sick because of asbestos exposure, or your loved one developed an asbestos-related disease, please call the New York City mesothelioma trail attorneys at The Williams Law Firm, P.C., for help: 855-575-MESO (6376).

Legally Reviewed by

Joseph P. Williams
Renowned Mesothelioma Attorney

March 14, 2025

As the founding partner of Williams Law Firm, Joseph P. Williams has dedicated over 30 years to representing mesothelioma victims and their families. His firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for those affected by asbestos exposure, offering personalized, aggressive legal advocacy. Based in New York, Williams Law Firm provides free consultations and handles cases nationwide.