It's no secret that children love toys. It's also not a secret that many Pennsylvania parents are interested in their children participating in activities where they can be creative. As a result, toys that promote creativity in children are popular with parents. Few assume when purchasing these products that they will cause an injury to their children.

One product that was previously on the market that fit the requirements for both parents and children was Aqua Dots. The popular toy consisted of small beads of a material that would stick together when wet. Kids could mold the substance into whatever they wanted.

Four years ago Spin Master, the company that sold Aqua Dots after importing them, issued a recall of the product. The previous month it had learned that the toy contained a substance that was toxic if ingested. Once consumed, 1,4-butylene glycol (TMG), changed into gamma hydroxybutyrate, a controlled substance that can damage one's central nervous system and kidneys.

Leading up to the recall, in mid October 2007, the company was made aware that a dog as well as children received emergency medical treatment after consuming the material. By the next month two reports of children falling into comas were provided to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Spin Master recalled the product that month.

The CPSC went after the company believing it failed to report the defective product, as is required by law, within 24 hours of learning it could cause harm to a consumer. Though Spin Master denies that it violated the law on purpose, the company has agreed to pay a civil penalty totaling $1.3 million.

Source: Reuters, "Spin Master to pay $1.3 million penalty in Aqua Dots case," Ian Simpson, Oct. 27, 2011