More than 30 children's toys, including sand art kits and stretchy rubber toys, have been recalled in the UK since the start of the year after being found to contain asbestos. Retailers such as Tesco, Primark, Matalan, Smyths Toys, The Entertainer, Aldi, Argos, Asda and M&S have removed the products from shelves, according to recall information on the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) website.
Asbestos, which causes mesothelioma—a cancer that usually starts in the layers of tissue covering the lungs—is prohibited in any quantity in UK products. It is believed that the affected toys contain sand from mines in China, where asbestos fibres can occur naturally and labelling rules are less rigorous.
Consumers are urged to check if they own these products by visiting the OPSS recalls page on the gov.uk website. If they do, they should stop using them immediately, store them securely out of children's reach, and if the sand is still in its packaging, place it in a heavy-duty plastic bag, double tape it, and return it to the place of purchase.
In January, Hobbycraft withdrew its Giant Box of Craft kits after a customer alerted it to asbestos traces in coloured sand bottles. It has since recalled four further craft sets. In March, the OPSS issued a technical advisory note on testing for asbestos in consumer products containing sand. Earlier this month, the OPSS recalled the HGL Stretchy Sand Monster Truck, Scrunchems Stretchies Sleepy Dino Toy and HGL Stretchy Sand Pig, all distributed by One For Fun Limited, over asbestos fears.
Minister for product safety Kate Dearden said: 'It is staggering toys are being sold with asbestos, and I know how concerning this will be for parents. We're taking action with new measures to strengthen consumer protection.' The consumer group Which? called the number of recalls a serious failure in safety checks, urging the OPSS to ensure proper checks are carried out, particularly on online marketplaces.
