Asbestos in play sand: Consumer Advice Center NRW warns of contaminated kinetic sand
First warnings about asbestos in play sand as early as the end of 2025
As early as the end of 2025, Australian and New Zealand authorities warned about colorful sand from China, which is sold as kinetic, magic, play, or decorative sand through various online retailers. In February 2026, investigations were also conducted in the Netherlands and Belgium, where asbestos was detected in play and decorative sand. Sales bans have already been imposed on certain products there.
The North Rhine-Westphalia Consumer Advice Center and Stiftung Warentest have now also drawn attention to this problem.
What are the dangers of asbestos in play sand?
Play sand is very popular and can be found in many children's rooms and daycare centers. Young children in particular are at risk of inhaling dust and any asbestos fibers that may be present while playing. Even small amounts of inhaled fibers are considered dangerous, as asbestos is harmful to health and there is no safe exposure threshold. Play sand should therefore always be tested for harmful substances.
How does asbestos get into play sand?
It is unlikely that asbestos was intentionally added to play sand to improve its material properties. It is highly probable that it is so-called “geogenic asbestos,” which is introduced into the material via the raw materials.
What types of asbestos are found in play sand?
According to initial investigations by CRB Analyse Service GmbH, materials with a carbonate matrix, a rock flour made from ‘impure’ calcitic and dolomitic marbles, appear to be particularly affected. Contrary to previous reports, CRB was able to detect not only the asbestos mineral tremolite from the amphibole group in initial samples of play sand, but also chrysotile (white asbestos).
How can I have play sand tested for asbestos?
Simply register your play sand sample via our private customer portal and then send us your sample in an airtight container.
As an accredited testing laboratory, we will quickly and reliably test your sand for asbestos in accordance with current guidelines (VDI 3866, Sheet 5).
How can I protect myself from asbestos in play sand?
Follow the advice of the North Rhine-Westphalia Consumer Advice Center:
- “As long as there are no tests available that give the all-clear, neither adults nor children should play with, decorate, or do crafts with the sand as a precaution.
- You should avoid inhaling dust from the sand at all costs.
- Closed packaging should not be opened as a precaution.
- If the sand has already been removed, put on a tight-fitting FFP2 mask, cleaning gloves, and safety goggles, carefully wet the sand with a flower sprayer (filled with water and a drop of dish soap) so that it can no longer produce dust, then wipe up the sand with wet cloths. Smooth surfaces can be wiped with a damp cloth. Place everything (including gloves and FFP2 mask) in tear-resistant plastic bags and seal them airtight without squeezing the air out. You can also use containers such as cans or buckets with tight-fitting lids.
- Do not vacuum up the sand with a household vacuum cleaner. If carpets or upholstery are contaminated and the dust cannot be wiped off with a damp cloth, a special class H vacuum cleaner should be used.
- If the product is found to contain asbestos, it must be disposed of as asbestos-containing waste. Ask your waste disposal company where asbestos-containing waste can be disposed of. However, it is important to wait for the test results before taking any premature – and possibly costly or time-consuming – disposal measures.
- When using play sand containing asbestos indoors, professional cleaning measures may be necessary depending on the level of product contamination and the amount of dust spread.
- Please watch our website or official information channels for further advice on handling these products in the coming weeks.
- However, there is no cause for panic, as asbestos primarily poses a health risk in cases of prolonged exposure and/or high fiber concentrations. Most people who suffer from asbestosis were exposed to high fiber concentrations in their work for many years.”
Which play sand contains asbestos?
Not all products have been identified yet. The products affected are mainly materials from China that are sold as “Magic Sand,” “Rainbow Sand,” “Kinetic Sand,” “Glow Art Sand,” or as material for “Montessori sand tables.”
Background: In China, asbestos continues to be mined and used in many products. Chinese products may contain up to 5% asbestos by mass and are considered asbestos-free up to this limit.
To date, the following products have been banned or recalled (as of February 18, 2026):
New Zealand:
- Tiny Sugar – White Fake Sugar decorative crystals
- Multi-Color/Multi-Size Ultra-Fine Quartz Sand 80-120 Mesh, Special Sand For Texture Painting, Vase F
- Rangoli Powder - Pack of 6 and Pack of 10
- Glow Sand Art
- Galt branded Mini Makes Sand Stickers
- Handmade Gummy Worm earrings and Salted Pretzel earrings
- Licensed Sensory Activity Sets: Frozen, Bluey, and Paw Patrol
- 14 piece Sand Castle Building Set
- RECALL CONCLUDED- Blue, Green, and Pink Magic Sand
- Make Your Own Unicorn Sand Ornaments
- Coloured Sand for Unity Ceremony
- Coloured sand by Creative Sand
- MIKI Sand Art Set
- Rainbow Sand Art Toy
- Craft Sand 380g
- 14 piece Sand Castle Building Set and Blue, Green, and Pink Magic Sand
Australia:
- Creatistics Coloured Sand (1 kg)
- Kadink Coloured Decorative Sand
- Kadink Cotton Sensory Sand
- EC Rainbow Sand
Belgium:
- C Rainbow Sand
- Creatistics coloured Sand
- Active Sand tub 14 piece Sand Castle Building Set
- Sand Active Sand Tub - Blue, Green, and Pink Magic Sand
- Craft Sand
- Sand Art Activity Kit
- Miki Sand Art Set
- Creative Sand | Coloured sand
- Unity Ceremony | Coloured Sand - 200 gram bags
- Anko (winkels Kmart in Nieuw-Zeeland) | Make Your Own Unicorn Sand Ornaments
- Sensory Activity Sets: Frozen, Bluey, and Paw Patrol
- Joy’s Handmade | Handmade Gummy Worm earrings and Salted Pretzel earrings
- Galt Mini Makes Sand Stickers
- Glow Sand Art
- Rangoli Powder - Pack of 6 and Pack of 10
- Kadink | Coloured Decorative Sand
- Kadink | Cotton Sensory Sand
- Kadink | Decorative sand
- Anko | Active Sand tub 14 piece Sand Castle Building Set
- Kidsplay Crafts | coloured sand and sand art party packs
- Montessori Sand Tray Writing Activity Set
- CleverPatch | Coloured Sand
- CleverPatch | Glitter Sand
- SilverStarCrafts | Coloured sand products
- HTI Toys Stretcherz Stretch Squad Dinosaur Figures (including sand)
- HTI Toys Stretcherz Stretch Squad Toys Assorted Figures pack (including sand)
- Melissa & Doug | Sand Art Bottle
- Wonderco | Scoop & Play Ice cream sensory bin (also Dino)
- Multi-Colour/Multi-Size Ultra-Fine Quartz Sand
- Waniny | Sandbox Toys Writing Tray, Sand Writing Trays - Sand Tray Toys
- Baker Ross | AX960 Rainbow Coloured Craft Sand
- XIAOHONG Sand 12 Pack Magic 4lbs - Atlantis & Fantastique espace hydrophobe Jouets de sable pour enfants & Adultes
- Meiest | 7 Pack colored magic sand
- Hohosunlar | Unicorn Sensory Girl Kid Toy
- Hobbycraft | Hobbycraft Sand & Pom Pom Art Kit
- Hobbycraft | Hobbycraft Easter Bumper Craft Kit
- Hobbycraft | Giant Box of Craft
