Warning after ‘asbestos found’ in children’s play sand sold in UK
Children’s play sand has been withdrawn from sale by Hobbycraft after a parent warned about apparent traces of asbestos in the product.
The parent alerted the craft company after sending sand samples to a testing lab. The parent claimed that tests found traces of asbestos fibers in bottles of yellow, green and pink sand sold in the Giant Box of Crafts kit.
Hobbycraft said no authorities in the UK had warned of the risk and there was no evidence of harm to customers.
A spokesman said: “As a precaution, we have voluntarily removed the product from sale while we carry out independent testing through an accredited UK laboratory, working in accordance with regulatory and product safety guidance… We will notify our customers as soon as we are able to do so.”
The parent, who did not want to give his name, said: Guard: “The colored sand bottles looked extremely similar to ones I had seen in a news report about sand games remembered in Australia.
“I was concerned enough to purchase a set from Hobbycraft and send it to an accredited laboratory for testing. Three of the five colors tested positive for fibrous tremolite asbestos,” he claimed.
A government source said Hobbycraft should recall the product itself. They told the newspaper: “Parents are right to be concerned about this. Authorities are investigating, but given the evidence there is no good reason why Hobbycraft should not remember this themselves.”
A spokesperson for Hobbycraft added: “We have been made aware of a customer claim regarding laboratory testing of a children’s play sand product sold by Hobbycraft. Although we were not provided with key samples or methodology, we take such claims extremely seriously. Product safety is extremely important to Hobbycraft.”
In November last year, 69 schools had to close in Australia after colored play sands were recalled due to the risk of asbestos.
Asbestos is more dangerous when it becomes airborne and can be inhaled, such as during building demolitions. Inhaling any form of asbestos can cause cancer and there is no safe level of exposure. However, the risks increase as the amount you are exposed to increases.
Those who are likely to become ill from asbestos are often exposed to asbestos on a regular basis.
