And the Commission-- a new independent federal regulatory agency-- urged consumers immediately to discontinue use of the products and retailers to stop sales.
Three spray adhesives-- "Foil Art Spray Adhesive" and "Scotch Brand Spra-Ment", both manufactured by the 3-M Company, St. Paul, Minnesota; and "Krylon Spray Adhesive", manufactured by the Borden Company, Columbus, Ohio, have been possibly linked to chromosome breaks which could cause multiple birth defects in some offspring.
The findings were reported to the Commission by Dr. J. Rodman Seely, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Cytotechnology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
CPSC investigators met with Dr. Seely, reviewed his research, and concluded that his findings strongly suggest a causal relationship between exposure to these spray adhesives and findings of chromosome damage and birth defects in a group of subjects he has studied.
CPSC Chairman Richard 0. Simpson said the Commission will use "all appropriate means to halt the production, distribution and sale of the spray adhesives linked to the problem by Dr. Seely."
Simpson said the Commission also will undertake a nationwide investigation to determine the full extent and implications of the problem.
"Because of the complex nature of the issue, it is difficult to project the length of time it will take to complete the investigation," Simpson said.
He said the nature of the potential problem is of such magnitude, however, that the Commission felt it had an immediate responsibility to alert consumers to the possible danger and to insure removal of the products from the marketplace.
While the chromosomal damage presents no immediate danger to children or adults, there is concern about the genetic damage which may cause problems in subsequent offspring, according to Dr. Seely.
Dr. Seely's investigation linked the spray adhesives to chromosomal breaks in two severely deformed Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, infants, their parents, and four other individuals in the area.
The spray adhesives had been used as part of a home artcraft hobby.
Chairman Simpson said the Commission would release further information as it becomes available.
About the U.S. CPSC
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products has contributed to a decline in the rate of injuries associated with consumer products over the past 50 years.
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