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After children’s play sand was found to have cancer-causing asbestos fibres in New Zealand, the government says it is looking at banning the product.
A University of Otago authority on environmental medicine believes the government should ban it immediately.
Play sand used in about 20 brands of toys and craft kits was recalled in New Zealand late last year and 135 recalls or warnings were issued overseas.
An Auckland University of Technology study on the product was released yesterday, revealing the play sand it could release asbestos fibres into the air which could be inhaled by children.
In response, Consumer Affairs Minister Cameron Brewer has asked for advice about what options were available to the government to tighten safety requirements around the product.
He also said a ban on sand products was being considered.
It was a ‘‘serious’’ issue and parents/consumers needed to have confidence in the product.
University of Otago public health, occupational and environmental medicine expert Prof David McBride said it depended on what type of asbestos fibres were found in the sand as to how dangerous it was for people’s health.
Each type of asbestos fibre had different toxicities.
‘‘It’s found naturally under the ground and it comes up with the sand.
‘‘The fibres that were found in the Auckland study are not the most toxic asbestos fibres. It does cause cancer, but you have to inhale a lot of it — you know, for 15-20 minutes a day — which is highly likely for young children.
‘‘But you would have to do that over years, which is not likely.’’
Despite it likely taking years for the fibres to become a problem, he believed the government should ban the sand immediately.
‘‘I think that would be a good idea because allowing people to continue to be exposed to it, especially children, is just not a good idea.
‘‘And if parents have got it sitting around home, they should just bin it straight away.
‘‘The perceptions of risk probably differ for individuals. Some people simply want more answers, and others will be very concerned and upset with the whole thing.’’
He believed importation of the asbestos-containing children’s toys had only started in the past decade.
‘‘It’s good that we’re on to this and aware of the danger.’’
As for sandpits in New Zealand playgrounds, he said they were not a risk because the sand in those areas typically came from local beaches, which did not have naturally occurring asbestos.