Aqua-Dots, a bead toy, have been recalled by U.S. safety officials, who are estimating that this recall effects 4.2 million toys.

The toys, made in China, are coated with a substance that, when ingested, converts to GHB (gamma-hydroxy butyrate), the so-called "date rape drug". 

The substance is harmful when swallowed.

Several children have swallowed the beads and almost immediately became ill.  In low doses, the drug can actually make you feel relaxed, but in high doses can lead to coma, seizures, and an extreme loss of muscle tone (hypotonia.). It can also cause amnesia (memory loss.)

The toys, marketed as Aqua Dots in the US and as Bindeez Beads in Australia, have been a popular toy since this past April.

As word of the recall spread, several major U.S. toy retailers have removed Aqua Dots from their shelves.

If you have Aqua Dots in your home, throw them out, immediately.