Maya Ellison
Play sand is a popular choice for sandboxes, sand trays, and other children's activities. However, the presence of plastic in play sand has been a growing concern for parents and professionals alike. While natural sand is generally safe, some commercially available play sands may contain microplastics or be packaged in plastic containers that can leach chemicals into the sand. This raises concerns about the potential health risks associated with children's exposure to these substances. As a result, there is an increasing demand for safe and non-toxic play sand options that are free from harmful chemicals and packaging.
Characteristics of Play Sand
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Safety | Play sand is generally safe for children and pets, with some brands safety-tested and certified to be free of toxins, carcinogens, and harmful particles. |
| Composition | Play sand is made from various materials, including feldspar rock, oolitic aragonite, and, in some cases, plastic. |
| Texture | Play sand can have a smooth and round texture, while regular sand is typically rough. |
| Dust | Some play sands may contain dust, depending on their source material (e.g., feldspar rock). |
| Moisture Absorption | Certain play sands, like Sandtastik's Sparkling White Play Sand, are inert and do not absorb moisture. |
| Sustainability | Options like Baha Play Sand offer a renewable and sustainable alternative to standard play sands, harvested from natural sources. |
| Price | Safe play sand can be more expensive, costing around $1-1.5 per pound. |
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What You'll Learn
Safe Sand™ White Play Sand is plastic-free
Sand is an essential part of childhood, from making mud pies to building sandcastles. But not all sand is created equal, and some may contain harmful substances like microplastics, crystalline silica, or arsenic. This is especially true for sandboxes made from plastic, which can contain plasticizers like BPA, disrupting hormonal health.
Safe Sand™ White Play Sand is a naturally fine, responsibly harvested sand that is ideal for sandboxes, sand trays, and other sensory activities. It is a popular choice for schools and children's museums, and it can be delivered to your door in any quantity. One of its standout features is its ability to hold its shape when wet, making it perfect for sandcastle building. Because it produces very minimal dust, it is also ideal for indoor play areas.
The sand is safety-tested and non-toxic, ensuring it is free of asbestos, lead, and crystalline silica dust. These toxins can be harmful to children's health, so it is reassuring to know that Safe Sand™ is respected by parents and professionals alike for its clean and safe developmental play value. The white sand is naturally coloured and never bleached or dyed, as evidenced by its accompanying Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), which shows no toxins or cancer warnings.
Safe Sand™ White Play Sand is a great option for those seeking a plastic-free, clean, and safe sand for their children's play areas. It provides peace of mind while allowing children to engage in fundamental learning and creative play.
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Baha Play Sand is a plastic-free alternative
Unlike some other play sands on the market, Baha Play Sand is safety-tested and free of harmful substances such as crystalline silica, lead, asbestos, and plasticizers like BPA. These chemicals can be dangerous to children's health, contributing to negative health effects and disrupting hormonal health. Baha Play Sand is a non-toxic alternative that provides peace of mind for parents and professionals alike.
The sand is also minimal on dust, making it ideal for indoor play spaces. Baha Play Sand is a popular choice for schools, children's museums, and homes, as it encourages educational and developmental benefits through creative play. The fine white sand is naturally sourced and is never bleached or dyed, ensuring a safe and clean play experience for children.
Baha Play Sand is a responsible choice for those seeking a plastic-free alternative to traditional play sand. By choosing Baha Play Sand, you can trust that your child is playing with a safe and non-toxic substance that is free of harmful chemicals and additives. With Baha Play Sand, you can focus on the fun and leave your worries about hidden chemicals behind.
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Sandtastik sand is tested to be free of plastic
Sandtastik® is a company that has been manufacturing safe and creatively coloured products for schools, therapy offices, hospitals, retail stores, backyards and more for over 25 years. They are committed to ensuring that their sand products are safe for people of all ages and compliant with CPSIA standards.
Sandtastik's sand is tested by toxicologists at the Duke University School of Medicine, and their testing is compliant with California Prop 65, CPSIA standards, and Art & Creative Materials Institute (ACMI) industry certification. The company even provides access to the test results of its sand, allowing customers to see that their safety claims are valid.
Sandtastik's play sand is made from feldspar rock, which may produce some dust. However, the sand is silica-free, non-toxic, and tested to be free of plastic. It is also free of organic materials and insects, as well as crystalline silica, tremolite, and other harmful particles. The company goes to great lengths to ensure that their sand products are safe for use by people of all ages and that they meet the highest safety standards.
Sandboxes made from plastics can contain plasticizers like BPA, which can disrupt hormonal health. Therefore, it is important to choose a sandbox made from alternative materials, such as solid wood, or to ensure that any plastic sandbox is made from hard plastic rather than soft PVC plastic. Sandtastik's sand is inert, meaning it will not absorb moisture. However, proper drainage is still important to prevent the growth of bacteria and mould in the sandbox.
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Plastic sandboxes can contain plasticizers like BPA
Sandboxes made from plastics can contain plasticizers like BPA, which disrupt hormonal health. BPA (bisphenol A) is the base material for polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resin, and is one of the most produced chemicals on Earth. It has been known to act like estrogen in the body, disrupting hormones, since the 1930s.
BPA has been linked to a long list of health concerns, even at very low levels. It is often found in water bottles, food storage containers, and the lining inside food cans. Due to its potential health risks, the FDA banned its use in baby bottles and sippy cups, and extended this ban to infant formula containers and food cans.
However, despite these bans, BPA-free alternatives may not be much safer. Recent research shows that replacements like BPS and BPAF can be just as toxic, if not more so. These substitutes are often inadequately tested and can still cause irreversible cell damage.
Therefore, it is important to be cautious when using plastic products, especially those that come into contact with food or are intended for children's use, as they may contain BPA or other potentially harmful chemicals.
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Plastic sandboxes can allow bacteria to grow (and may contain silica)
Sandboxes can be breeding grounds for bacteria, parasites, and other infectious germs. A study found that a particularly nasty bacteria called Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) was present in nearly 53% of sandboxes tested in Spain. C. difficile can cause symptoms in humans ranging from mild diarrhea to life-threatening inflammation of the colon. Other pathogens found in sandboxes include parasites such as Toxoplasma gondii, which can cause flu-like symptoms, and parasitic Ascaris eggs that can cause abdominal discomfort. In addition, worms such as pinworms and roundworms also live in sandboxes. To prevent bacteria from growing in sandboxes, it is important to keep the sandbox covered when it is not in use to keep out insects and animals, and to let the sand dry before covering it, as wet sand is an ideal place for bacteria to grow.
While plastic sandboxes may be a convenient option for some, it is important to be aware of the potential risks associated with them. Plastic sandboxes can contain plasticizers like BPA, which can disrupt hormonal health. Additionally, plastic sandboxes may be more prone to retaining moisture, creating an environment conducive to bacterial growth.
It is worth noting that the presence of silica in play sand has been a concern for parents and caregivers. Silica, also known as crystalline silica, is a natural mineral that can be found in sand. While silica is not inherently dangerous, long-term exposure to respirable crystalline silica dust can pose health risks, especially for children. Silica dust can cause lung cancer, pulmonary tuberculosis, autoimmune disorders, and renal disease. However, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (US CPSC) has evaluated the presence of crystalline silica and respirable silica in play sand and concluded that it does not pose a hazard to children. Nonetheless, it is advisable to take precautions and choose play sand that is labeled as silica-free or seek alternative options like beach sand or river sand, which are less likely to contain harmful particles.
To ensure the safety of children playing in sandboxes, it is recommended to follow good hygiene practices. This includes regularly raking and sifting the sand to remove debris, clumps, or foreign material. Additionally, encourage children to wash their hands before and after playing in the sandbox, and disinfect any sand toys used. By taking these precautions, the benefits of sandbox play can be enjoyed while minimizing potential health risks.
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Frequently asked questions
No, play sand does not contain plastic. However, sandboxes made from plastic can contain plasticizers like BPA, which can be harmful to children's health.
Play sand is usually made from feldspar rock, which does not contain any carcinogens. Some play sand is made from oolitic aragonite, a renewable and sustainable resource that is naturally precipitated in the oceans of The Bahamas. Oolitic aragonite grains are naturally smooth and round in texture and contain no quartz or silica.
Yes, play sand is generally safe for children. However, some play sand may contain harmful substances like silica, quartz, arsenic, copper arsenate, formaldehyde, and other volatile organic compounds. It is important to choose a brand of play sand that is safety-tested and non-toxic.
You can buy play sand online from companies like Safe Sand Company and Calcean. You can also find it at indoor sand play centers and some retailers in the US.
