Toxic in toys - China confirms

A stop for the deadly toys! China's quality control watchdog confirmed Saturday that popular bead toys recently recalled in the U.S. contained toxic substances. The toys were manufactured by the Wangqi Product Factory in China's southern city of Shenzhen. China froze exports of the toys Friday and yesterday the government suspended the toymaker's export license.

U.S. consumer officials said the bead toys contain a chemical - 1,4 butanediol - that turns into gamma-hydroxybutyric acid, commonly known as GHB, when ingested. Also called liquid ecstasy, GHB is a sedative used by both club kids and date rapists.

Two children in the U.S. and three in Australia have been hospitalized for seizures and comas after swallowing the sticky pellets. The toys - marketed as Aqua Dots and Aqua Beads - had been a top Christmas seller at Wal-Mart and Toys "R" Us. Link