More than 30 children's toys have been recalled across the UK after tests found traces of asbestos in some products, raising fresh concerns about safety standards.
Shock toy recall as asbestos found in kids' play sand
The affected items include play sand sets sold by Hobbycraft, with over 30 products linked to the contamination, according to reports by The Guardian. In the past three months, a wider range of children's products has also been pulled from sale by major retailers including Tesco, Primark, Matalan and Marks and Spencer after being found to contain the same substance.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral made up of tiny fibres that are resistant to heat, fire and chemicals. While this durability once made it popular in construction and manufacturing, it is now widely recognised as a serious health hazard.
According to UK government guidance, the presence of asbestos does not always lead to harm unless the fibres are released and come into contact with the body. Exposure can happen through breathing in fibres, ingesting them or through skin contact. The level of risk depends on factors such as how much exposure occurs, how long it lasts and the type of asbestos involved.
All forms of asbestos are considered dangerous if inhaled, as they can lead to serious illnesses including cancer.
Concerns about play sand first emerged overseas in November, when contaminated products prompted recalls and school and nursery closures in parts of Australia and New Zealand, yet similar items continued to be sold in the UK and across Europe.
The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has issued guidance to retailers and manufacturers on how to carry out reliable testing. Since then, labs have reported a surge in requests as companies check their products for contamination.
Campaigners have criticised the response from authorities, arguing that action came too late.
Laurie Kazan-Allen, from the International Ban Asbestos Secretariat, said: "It took an article in the Guardian to force the UK authorities to engage with the potential threat to public health.
"The UK recalls since then are a result of individual tests carried out by manufacturers and sellers and not of testing by the UK authorities."
The recalls have left many parents concerned about products they may already have at home. Experts advise checking recall notices and stopping use of any affected items immediately.
For the latest OPSS product safety alerts, recalls and guidance for consumers, businesses and regulators, visit:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/product-recalls-and-alerts