A popular gooey substance sold to children could become toxic and threaten their health, according to a Problem Solvers investigation.

Television and Internet advertisements for Floam describe the toy as non-toxic micro-beaded modeling fun that can be molded into different shapes.

Ryan Hann, 7, played with Floam for about a week when his mother, Kelly, noticed the goo was losing its glow.

"It had this dark layer of fuzzy stuff growing on it," Hann said. "Oh, it smelled horrible. I wish I wouldn't have opened it inside now."

Hann said her son never took the Floam outside and never spilled anything on it. He also put the substance back in its container after playing with it.

"The mold was a mystery," Local 6's Nancy Alvarez said. "So, Hann called SAS Group, Inc., -- the company that manufactures Floam."

"I was mad that (SAS Group) didn't seem concerned or asked questions or get my number," Hann said. "It was just like, 'Ah, it is a bad batch.'"

The Problem Solvers then took Hann's Floam to microbiologist Blanca Cortes for testing.

"We collected with the swab, swabbed the area and then we cultured it," Cortes said.

Cortes studied samples of the Floam over several days.

"The fungus has grown pretty quickly," Hann said. "Somehow it is supporting the growth of the fungus. The fungus continues to grow on the foam."

Cortes said the Floam itself is non-toxic. However, she said if a child puts it on a surface where mold spores are present, those spores are passed on to the Floam and everything it comes in contact with.

"You're transforming these spores from one place to another, not to mention to the kids itself," Cortes said.

"And that could create a series of health problems," Alvarez said.

"Skin infections and nail infections," Cortes said. "They could aspirate spores and they could go into the lungs."

Local 6 contacted the SAS Group and a representative said the ingredients used in Floam are proprietary.

"They did provide the results of their own lab tests and much like ours, it shows mold spores are present," Alvarez said. "But the amount is below what commonly used guidelines consider a dangerous level."

A representative said, "The safety of children is their number one concern."

Cortes said that parents whose children play with Floam should keep an eye on the poduct and throw it away immediately if any change in color is noticed.

Alvarez said she found several similar mold complaints online but a company representative said they have not received enough complaints to justify a recall or any kind of warning on the package.

Floam questions: 978-946-9300

Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.