At least nine products, primarily coasters and bath mats, have been confirmed to contain amounts of asbestos that can be harmful to humans. Over 2.4 million units of these products have been sold. The products in question contain diatomaceous earth, a sedimentary rock that has been crushed into a fine powder, which gives many of them their absorption capabilities.
The products have been pulled from the shelves, and the company is currently investigating 29 more items. You can see lists of products that likely contain asbestos (石綿含有の可能性があることが判明した商品), products currently being examined (調査中の商品), and products that have been deemed safe (石綿含有はなく安全が確認された商品) in the Nitori press release that was released on December 22.
The lists show images and the name of the products in question, as well as what time periods it was sold.
If you own any of the items on the 石綿含有の可能性がある or 調査中 lists, it is recommended that you double-bag them in plastic bags and seal them tightly with tape until the product is either deemed safe or can be collected. The products pose the most threat when ripped or broken, as it can allow asbestos particles to be released into the air.
People are asked to not throw them away with normal garbage, and any inquiries regarding returns can be asked through Nitori’s customer service line (0120-209-993) from 10:00 am to 6:30 pm. The company is currently working out how to collect the products.
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Title image credit: Ned Snowman / Shutterstock.com
The information in this article is accurate at the time of publication.
