More than 30 children's toys have been recalled in the United Kingdom since the beginning of the year after they were found to contain asbestos, according to the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS).
Retailers affected
Major retailers including Tesco, Argos, and M&S have removed the affected toys from their shelves following the discovery of the hazardous substance. The recalls are listed on the OPSS website.
Health risks of asbestos
Asbestos is known to cause mesothelioma, a form of cancer that typically originates in the lining of the lungs. UK law strictly prohibits the sale of any product containing asbestos, regardless of quantity.
The contaminated toys are believed to contain sand sourced from mines in China, where asbestos fibres can occur naturally and labelling regulations are less stringent.
Consumer advice
Consumers are strongly urged to check whether they own any of the recalled products by visiting the OPSS website. If they do have such items, they should keep them out of reach of children immediately.
This wave of recalls follows a previous incident in January when Hobbycraft recalled a craft kit after traces of asbestos were found in its coloured sand.
Government response
Kate Dearden, the minister for consumer protection, described the situation as 'staggering', stating that 'toys are being sold with asbestos'. She confirmed that measures are being implemented to 'clamp down on irresponsible sellers'.
Online marketplace concerns
Sue Davies, from the consumer group Which?, has called on the OPSS to investigate whether toys containing asbestos are being sold on online marketplaces, where regulations are significantly more limited.
