Parents warned as popular children's toy recalled over 'asbestos contamination'

Parents are being urged to immediately toss out a popular children's toy that 'presents a risk to health' due to potential asbestos contamination.

A product recall has been issued by Kiddo World, a brand which specialises in sensory play and produces items that claim to 'provide exactly what a child's developing brain needs'.

The UK Office for Product Safety and Standards has announced an urgent recall of the company's 'Make Your Own Sensory Bin Construction Site' amid fears it contains traces of asbestos.

On Wednesday (12 August), officials said that the toy had been withdrawn from the market and recalled by Kiddo World after the alleged contamination came to light.

The interactive product consisted of a box of sensory toys, including glow-in-the-dark stones, magnetic sand and construction vehicles.

The product is believed to contain traces of asbestos (Office for Product Safety and Standards)

It's the play sand that is the problem - as according to the UK Office for Product Safety and Standards, it 'may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos'.

The watchdog warned: "The product presents a risk to health as the play sand may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos.

"Asbestos is a banned substance because it poses a risk to health even at low levels of exposure. The product does not meet the requirements of the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011."

As a result of this, the product was withdrawn from sale and Kiddo World have been in contact with affected consumers directly.

But in case anyone missed the news, parents ought to rifle through their children's toy boxes to triple check they don't have a Make Your Own Sensory Bin Construction Site lying around.

Consumers have been told to 'immediately' cease use of the product and to keep it out of the reach of youngsters.

Why is asbestos exposure dangerous?

Asbestos is carcinogenic to humans, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, while it can also cause a rare but serious lung condition known as asbestosis.

The UK Health Security Agency explains: "All forms of asbestos fibres are hazardous as they can induce cancer following inhalation exposure, but amphibole forms of asbestos (including blue and brown) are more hazardous to health than chrysotile (white).

"Breathing in high concentrations of asbestos for a long period of time mainly affects the lungs, causing a disease called asbestosis where breathing becomes difficult and the heart enlarges.

"Asbestosis may take decades to develop. Asbestosis sufferers are at an increased risk of cancer.

"Exposure to lower concentrations of asbestos over time may result in a general (diffuse pleural thickening) or localised (pleural plaques) thickening of the lung lining.

"Warts and corns may form around asbestos fibres that become embedded in the skin. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has stated that there is no consistent evidence that ingested asbestos is hazardous to health."

The play sand included with the kit is suspected to be contaminated (Getty Stock Photo)

Those who are in possession of Kiddo World's Make Your Own Sensory Bin Construction Site have been given instructions on what to do with the product.

If the magnetic sand remains in its packaging, Brits should place it inside of a heavy-duty plastic bag, double tape it securely, label it clearly and store in a secure location out of the reach of children.

If the sand has been used, clean up sites where the product was used with wet cloths to avoid generating dust. Experts have advised wearing gloves and a mask while doing so.

You should then double bag the sand, gloves, mask and cloths, while steering clear of the area it has been used until it has been thoroughly cleaned.

Customers should follow the instructions provided by Kiddo World for return and refund of affected products and can contact the firm via [email protected] for further information.

The product recall comes weeks after another toy including play sand was withdrawn from sale after traces of asbestos were discovered within them.

A range of 'squishy dumpling' toys which were popularised on TikTok were also recently recalled as they pose a 'serious' chemical risk to people since they may contain 'excessive levels of benzene'.