Childcare institutions warned to avoid play sand over possible asbestos

The Dutch Childcare Industry Association has warned daycare centers and other childcare institutions to avoid using play sand due to the possible presence of asbestos. The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) is investigating, a spokesperson told RTL Nieuws.

In Australia, over 70 public schools were closed after the local consumer product safety authority found asbestos in children’s play sand. The Australian authorities recalled several children’s sand products, all originating from China.

Following this, the AD had 12 different types of play sand popular in the Netherlands tested in a lab. The laboratory found asbestos in six of them. The asbestos was primarily in “loose” mineral sand, but the lab did not rule out that other items, similar to those from brand names like Kinetic Sand and Magic Sand, could also contain the carcinogenic substance.

That was reason enough for the Childcare Industry Association to issue a warning. “This concerns sand used in sand tables and craft and drawing sets, among other things,” the association wrote to its members. "The NVWA has told us they are investigating. While the investigation is ongoing, we advise, as a precaution, against using any play sand whose origin or composition is not completely certain."

The association has spoken to the NVWA about the issue. “They cannot yet draw definitive conclusions or take enforcement action while the investigation is ongoing. But prevention is better than cure,” a spokesperson for the association told RTL.

The NVWA confirmed to RTL that it was investigating the issue. According to the consumer safety authority, companies themselves are responsible for ensuring that their products are safe. “We are now investigating exactly which companies are involved and, where possible, we will contact them.”

This is the second product in recent weeks that could pose a risk to the health of young children due to contamination in China. Last month, Nestlé ordered a mass recall of its infant formula due to contamination with cereulide, which it eventually traced to a raw material from China. At least six babies in the Netherlands have become ill after drinking the Nestlé formula.

There is a lot of criticism of how slowly Nestlé and the NVWA acted with this recall. Nestlé first detected the contamination in its Dutch factory in late November and reportedly informed the NVWA on December 9. Nestlé issued its first recall in France on December 11. The global recall, affecting 63 countries including the Netherlands, only happened on January 5.