Determination of Asbestos Fibre Release Potential from Contaminated Craft Sand and Sand-Based Toys

Abstract

Over the last century, human exposure pathways for asbestos have changed from those associated with direct interaction with the minerals (e.g. mining) to secondary exposure from a variety of asbestos-containing materials, including those linked to para-occupational, domestic and environmental pathways. In 2025, the discovery of asbestos in children’s toy sand products caused panic, stress and fear amongst the community. Although there is no safe level of asbestos exposure, these products were deemed to be low risk by some due to uncertainty around whether fibres could become airborne during play. In this experimental study, asbestos contaminated sand samples were “played with” inside a Class A asbestos enclosure by an asbestos technician wearing protective equipment. Air samples collected were analysed using a combination of light and electron microscopy undertaken by two independent laboratories. 90% of tested craft sands released asbestos fibres into the air during play activities. Some fibres met the criteria for ‘respirable fibres’. Air samples taken during experiments using moulding sand samples did not show any airborne asbestos fibres; however, analytical detection limits for this study were high. This demonstrates that the potential risk from asbestos in the product can create a real risk from fibres in the air; however, the magnitude of this risk has yet to be determined by further research. Nevertheless, no amount of risk of asbestos exposure through toys is acceptable, so the most practical way to eliminate this risk would be to avoid the use of artificial sand products in toys or similar consumer products.