Primark shoppers have been urged to stop using the retailer's Halloween Gonks decorations immediately after a possible asbestos contamination was identified in the sand sealed inside the products.
The urgent product recall applies to two seasonal gonk decorations, one featuring a pumpkin hat and the other a witch hat with grey hair. The Local Authority Trading Standards has issued a product recall warning, alongside guidance on how to safely dispose of the items.
Health risk from asbestos
According to the Government warning, the products present a risk to health because 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. The products do not meet the requirements of the General Product Safety Regulations 2005.
The Local Authority Trading Standards has issued the following advice for anyone who has purchased the product:
- Stop using the product immediately.
- If the product is undamaged, place it in a heavy-duty plastic bag, double tape it securely, label it clearly and store it in a secure location out of the reach of children.
- If the product is damaged and the filling is accessible, clean up sites where the product was used using wet cloths to avoid generating dust. Wear gloves and a mask. Double bag the filling and product, gloves, mask and cloths.
- Keep children and other people away from areas where the sand has been used until the area has been cleaned.
Return and disposal guidance
Shoppers are advised to return the product to their nearest Primark store for a full refund, with no receipt required. If returning the product is not possible, customers are advised to follow the safety steps above and contact their local authority or access their website for guidance on safe disposal of asbestos in their area.
For further information, customers can contact Primark or visit the GOV.UK page on asbestos in consumer products. The corrective measures confirm the products have been withdrawn from the market and recalled from end users by Primark, with owners recommended to stop using the product immediately and keep it out of the reach of children.
