Over 120,000 squeeze toys recalled because they may contain asbestos

Hundreds of thousands of squishy children's toys have been recalled because they may contain the cancer-causing mineral asbestos.

According to a May 21 notice from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the recalled Orb Funkee squeeze toys sold nationwide at popular retailers like Walmart may contain tremolite, a fibrous mineral better known as asbestos, in the sand filling. Asbestos can be harmful to health if inhaled.

About 121,340 "monkees" toys are impacted by the recall. No injuries have been reported.

Here's what to know and what to do if you have a recalled toy.

Check your toys: Affected products sold at Walmart, Ollie's

Two models of Orb Funkee toys shaped like monkeys are included in the recall. One is a larger, gold-colored figure labeled the "Golden Monkee," while the other is an assortment of smaller, multicolored "Funkee Monkee" toys. Date codes can be found on the hand of the golden monkee or the backs of the smaller models.

• Product name: Orb Funkee "monkee" squeeze toys
• Affected models: Model 17451 and model 41929
• Date code: 3102491A
• Sold at: Walmart, Ollie’s Bargain Outlet stores nationwide from February 2025 through April 2026
• Price range: Between $5 and $40

What to do with the recalled product

The CPSC recommends consumers take the recalled toys away from children, stop using them immediately and contact The Orb Factory for a refund.

According to the notice, if the toy has been ruptured or pierced, or if sand has escaped the toy, Orb Factory has directed consumers to put on a mask and gloves and use damp cloths to pick up any sand that has leaked out.

Consumers with the affected squeeze toy will be asked to verify the code and lot number of the toy, place the toy in a heavy-duty plastic bag, seal the bag securely with tape and submit a photo of the product in the bag to [email protected] to receive a refund.

"Consumers should then dispose of the bag in accordance with local and/or state regulations," the notice reads.

Any items, including clothes, masks and gloves, used to dispose of recalled toys should be placed in a heavy-duty plastic bag and then re-bagged and sealed with tape before they're disposed of.

Affected consumers can reach The Orb Factory by phone 800-741-0089 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, via email at [email protected], or online.

What is asbestos?

Asbestos is an umbrella term for a group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals found in rock and soil. Its strong, heat, chemical and electricity-resistant fibers can be separated into thin threads useful in a wide variety of products from fabrics to construction insulation.

Asbestos was used extensively in commercial and industrial manufacturing, especially construction, in the United States until the late 1980s, when the Environmental Protection Agency passed a ban on all new uses of asbestos. While it has been phased out of use over the last few decades, you may still come across the mineral in old buildings, from the paint on the walls to the coating on the water pipes.

Asbestos was regulated and fell out of mainstream use in the U.S. after it was discovered to cause adverse health effects, including cancer.

When asbestos is disturbed, tiny particles are released into the air. When inhaled, they can become trapped in the lungs and, over time, can build up in the body. This can lead to inflammation, scarring and lung disease that make breathing difficult, according to the EPA and National Cancer Institute.

Asbestos is classified as a carcinogen, meaning it causes cancer in humans, per the EPA. It has been associated with mesothelioma (a relatively rare cancer of the thin membranes that line the chest, abdomen and heart); lung, larynx and ovary cancer; non-cancerous changes to the lungs; and asbestosis, a chronic, inflammatory condition of the lungs that can cause shortness of breath, coughing and permanent damage. Most cases of mesothelioma are believed to be the result of asbestos exposure, says the National Cancer Institute.

Repeat, sustained exposure is generally considered necessary for serious illness to develop. The CPSC and EPA have found that limited contact with small amounts of the mineral, while not recommended, presents a low health risk.