In response to a global recall of a popular children’s toy, PerkinElmer has released an application note that details a fast and easy screening method to identify the presence of a potentially dangerous glycol used in the manufacture of the toy.
The application note describes how to use gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) to identify 1,4-butanediol, instead of the prescribed, safer homologue, 1,5-pentanediol. 1,4-butanediol breaks down in the human body to form the drug GHB, commonly known as the “date rape drug.”
The product, known as Aqua Dots in the United States, was voluntarily recalled after this toxic chemical was found in the adhesive that sticks together the beads included in the toys.