By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2026-06-17 15:59:48 | Updated at 2026-06-18 17:15:48
1 day ago
Health officials are urging families to check their homes immediately for a popular squeeze toy that may contain a toxin that has been linked to cancer.
Made in China by the company Orb Funkee, the 'Monkees' toys are monkey-shaped figurines filled with sand that were sold at major retailers, including Walmart and Ollie's Bargain Outlet.
More than 120,000 have now been recalled nationwide after tests revealed the sand filling may be riddled with asbestos, which is unsafe in exposure at any quantity.
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a recall last month, stating the toys posed a 'risk of serious injury or death from asbestos exposure' if the sand filling escapes and people are exposed to it.
And this week, state health officials published their own warning: 'There is no safe amount of asbestos exposure.'
Inhaled asbestos fibers can become trapped in the lungs for years, gradually causing damage and scarring that raises the risk of cells turning cancerous.
No illnesses or injuries have been reported to date, and parents have been told to throw out the items immediately - but to do so in a safe way.
If a toy has not burst, health officials said that it should be wrapped in two plastic bags and then taken to a household hazardous waste collection site.
Testing revealed that the sand filling in the 'monkee' toys may contain asbestos, which is unsafe in exposure at any quantity (stock image)
Made in China, the toys are being recalled over fears their sand filling may contain asbestos. Shown above is the large golden 'monkee' and the item in its packaging
If the toy has ripped, torn or sand has escaped, parents are advised to call a contractor immediately to clear the hazardous materials.
Health officials urged people not to try to vacuum the sand, saying this could spread asbestos into the air and raise the risk of inhalation.
While waiting for assistance, parents could cover the toy and sand with a damp cloth.
Orb Funkee is offering full refunds for the toys, which were sold between February 2025 and April 2026 for $5 and $40 each.
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission first raised the alarm over the toy recall last month, but yesterday, health officials in Michigan also put out an alert over the recall.
The recall covers two products from the company.
One is a large gold-colored 'Orb Funkee Gold Jumbo Monkee,' which has the code 3102491A printed on its hand.
The other is the smaller 'Orb Funkee Monkee' sold in multiple colors, including orange, purple and green, which has the same code printed on its back.
Health officials in Michigan said: 'There is no safe amount of asbestos exposure.
Smaller 'monkees' in a variety of colors are also being recalled over the asbestos fears
The above 'monkee' is also part of the recall. No illnesses or injuries have been reported to date
'Consumers, especially children, should stop using the recalled toys immediately.'
They added: 'Asbestos is dangerous for everyone.
'It can take a long time for it to leave our bodies and can cause lasting lung problems. It is especially dangerous to young children whose lungs are still developing.'
Health officials are particularly concerned because children often handle squeezy toys near the face and may bite or squeeze them repeatedly, raising the risk of sand escaping.
The instructions on how to dispose of the toys are unusually detailed, which may be a reflection of the risk the objects pose.
It was not clear whether Orb Funkee would also pay for contractors to clean up in cases where sand from the toys has spilled into the home.
