Bed bugs in your Christmas toys?

by nobugsonme on December 11, 2008 · 2 comments

in bed bugs, bed bugs in the workplace, bedbugs, brats, Bratz, china, disney, dorms, Hasbro, labor, National Labor Committee, NLC, RC2, spread, sweatshops

The National Labor Committee (NLC) has put out a press release claiming that

Young workers in China who make holiday toys for Disney, Hasbro and RC2—including Bratz dolls—are suffering from a serious infestation of bed bugs in their dorms. Workers report that their bodies are often covered with red welts from the bug bites, which can easily become infected if the wounds are scratched. A leading entomologist at a major university confirmed to the National Labor Committee that it would be very possible for bed bugs to hitch a ride to the U.S., especially if they hid the cardboard toy boxes.

That’s a pretty alarming idea. I’m not sure how likely this is.

I am seriously worried about sweatshop workers, who the NLC claim are working 96-hour weeks in 95 degree F temperatures and then spending the night with bed bugs in their dorms.

Your thoughts?

You can read the NLC press release here.

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1 Vampiremenionprey December 11, 2008 at 11:52 pm: Sounds like perfect conditions for the holiday suicide rate to climb. This is terrible and really makes me think twice about purchasing toys for my children
2 nobugsonme December 12, 2008 at 2:07 am: Vampire,

Though I think it is possible, I am skeptical about how likely it is and I certainly would not panic.

This seems like kind of an extreme scenario.