Outgoing State Secretary for Youth, Judith Tielen, is advising parents and organisations to stop children from using play sand for the time being due to potential asbestos contamination. Following guidance from the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) and other experts, Tielen confirmed that around 100 products—including craft sand, squeeze toys, and standard play sand—are currently being tested.
These safety tests are expected to take approximately two weeks to complete. Under current regulations, the maximum permitted level of asbestos in toy sand is 0.1 per cent. While the NVWA and the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) investigate the specific health risks of exceeding this limit, the advice to avoid these products remains in place.
The State Secretary noted that she cannot issue a total ban on all play sand until the health risks are clearly defined. Consequently, she is urging caution until the final test results provide more clarity for schools, nurseries, and households.
@anp | NEWS BRAINPORT
