Asbestos Linked to Cancer Discovered in More Sand-Filled Toys Amid UK Product Recalls

DEADLY asbestos has been found in even more sand-filled children’s toys after a string of product recalls in the UK.

Parents have been left horrified by the toxic discovery across the , and now families in are facing similar warnings.

Some play sand, or toys with sand inside, have been found to contain traces of asbestosCredit: Getty The products present a risk to health as the sand inside the product may contain asbestosCredit: HTI Toys Toys sold in a UK gift shop at Cotswold Wildlife Park were urgently recalledCredit: X

Asbestos is a banned substance which poses a risk to health even at low levels of exposure.

Often found in old insulation and fire resistance materials, it is now known to cause fatal lung disease and cancer when inhaled.

The by manufacturers and distributors has sparked urgent enquiries.

Some children’s toys in the , , Austria and have been pulled from shelves .

The European Parliament is seeking answers from the European Commission about the toxic fibres found in “imported children’s play sand”.

The priority question references the recent reports suggesting children’s play sand in the EU had been imported from containing asbestos.

“Asbestos has long been banned in the EU due to its carcinogenic effects,” it read.

“The fact that such a hazardous substance was detected in a product intended specifically for children raises serious questions as to the effectiveness of import controls and EU market surveillance.”

In the Netherlands, AP2600 Sand Tubs Yellow 1 kg (Anthony Peters) from joeppiewinkel.nl, sold between 2022 and 2026 have been found to possibly contain traces of asbestos.

An anti-stress monster filled with sand from Kidero Group, which was sold between September 26, 2025 and March 17, 2026 has also been identified as being potentially dangerous.

Kidero Group and Anthony Peters were contacted for comment.

The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) warned parents: “Do not use this product.”

Buyers of the toys are advised to return them or take them to the centre.

Both companies promise to refund the purchase price, De Telegraaf reported.

It follows the urgent over asbestos concerns.

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OFSS) has advised to ensure their children “stop using the product immediately”.

To safely remove the toy, place it in a heavy-duty plastic bag and double tape it securely.

Make sure to label the bag clearly and store in a secure location out of the reach of children.

And if the toy is damaged, making the sand inside accessible, make sure to clean up sites where the product was used using wet cloths to avoid generating dust.

You should wear gloves and a mask during this process and double bag these along with the sand and cloths.

Children and others in the home should be kept away from areas where the sand has been used until the area has been cleaned.

You can dispose of the product in your general household waste, or return to the store where specified by the retailer, who will provide a full refund.

In November last year, lab testing showed the asbestos was present in sand products sold across Australia and .

The sand, imported from China, was designed to be played with by children and used in schools and nurseries, .

Dozens of and nurseries were forced to shut down after the deadly substance was discovered in children’s play sand.

Texet Bright Start Fluorescent Coloured Craft Sand Pack of 6 is also on the recall listCredit: TradingStandardsUK Asbestos is known to cause fatal lung diseases and cancer when inhaledCredit: Alamy