In its enforcement project, the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes) tested several children’s sand products. Abroad, there have been discoveries of asbestos in similar products. One of the products tested in the Tukes project, which was ordered from outside the EU, contained asbestos fibre.
Fourteen toys that contain sand were selected to be tested. Twelve of these products included various types of mouldable sand, such as magic sand, kinetic sand, or modelling clay. One of the products was a crafting set that contained sand and one was a sand canvas for drawing in.
These products were acquired from both Finnish and foreign online stores. Two of them were bought from retailers that only supply day-care centres and schools. Four of the products were acquired from outside the EU.
Tukes sent the product samples to the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, which would examine them for seven different fibrous silicates (asbestos). The testing methods employed detect asbestos fibres in the product, but not their total content.
Asbestos fibres are carcinogenic and, if inhaled, may cause serious respiratory illness, such as asbestosis and lung cancer.
Results
The Finnish Institute of Occupational Health could not analyse two of the samples because of their composition. Tukes estimates that even if these products did contain asbestos it only poses a minor risk as the fibres were non-extractable.
Eleven of the examined products did not contain notable amounts of asbestos.
The sand canvas contained two different asbestos fibres (chrysotile and tremolite). The product had been purchased from AliExpress, who has been informed about the result. AliExpress has pulled the product from sale and notified its customers of the hazard. Further information on the product is available at vaarallisettuotteet.fi.
“Fortunately, the results show that most of the children’s play sand products were fine. If you’re buying children’s toys from outside the EU, think twice. These products may not meet European safety requirements,” says Senior Officer Anja Merenkivi.
There are websites that consumers can check if a product has been listed as hazardous.
- Finnish authorities have compiled notifications on hazardous or non-compliant products at vaarallisettuotteet.fi
- The European Commission maintains a list of hazardous products found across Europe (Safety Gate)
Several supervision authorities in EU Member States are currently examining play sand enforcement projects. Tukes will also monitor the results of their projects.
See also:
Turvallinen koti lapselle - turvalliset lelut (in Finnish and Swedish)
Online shopping
Further information for the media:
Anja Merenkivi, senior officer, products
tel. +358 29 505 2192
Johanna Rajasärkkä, senior officer, chemical risk assessment
tel. +358 29 505 2136
Email addresses: [email protected]
