Safe Play Sand?

8061 Views 9 Replies 7 Participants Last post by srain, Apr 13, 2006

BlissP

Discussion Starter · Apr 8, 2006

Not sure if this is the right forum, but I couldn't imagine what would be...

We are getting a sandbox for my 17 month old, and while researching sandboxes, I came across the issue of "safe play sand" - there is some concern about the play sand that is marketed for children (available at Toys R Us or Home Depot) because it contains silica which can be harmful to breathe in with prolonged exposure. California requires a warning on the bags of play sand saying that the sand contains a carcinogen!

Of course, there are companies that sell "safe play sand"...and it's outrageously expensive, but like so many other things, that is not how I want to make the decision for my family.

Anyone know anything about this or have opinions?

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Llyra

· #2 · Apr 8, 2006

Truth? I have DH drive the truck out to the shore once every few weeks and bring back a load of clean beach sand. I can't afford to pay money for something like sand, when most of it winds up outside the sandbox anyhow.

This is obviously not an option if you don't live near a beach of some kind, though. I've also seen that about silica and yeah it would worry me, too. That's a tough one, and I haven't got any suggestions except if you have a source of plain, naturally-available clean sand, that seems like it would be best.

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BlissP

Discussion Starter · #3 · Apr 8, 2006

Sigh. I am awfully landlocked here!

That's what I would do if I could...

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CarrieMF

· #4 · Apr 8, 2006

We get our sand from a landscaping company. It is $1 per 5 gallon(I think, the big tall ones) pail. We use 3-4 pails because we have 2 sandboxes. Often dh just takes his trailer down and loads it onto there.

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Monkeyfeet

· #5 · Apr 8, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarrieMF
We get our sand from a landscaping company. It is $1 per 5 gallon(I think, the big tall ones) pail. We use 3-4 pails because we have 2 sandboxes. Often dh just takes his trailer down and loads it onto there.

So how do you know that it is safe? Did you ask them any certain questions (and if so do you mind sharing please)? We are getting dd one this summer and I am vaguely recalling hearing about this issue before.

Kelly

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CarrieMF

· #6 · Apr 9, 2006

Quote:

I don't. I live in an oil town, next to an oil refinery that tends to have explosions every few months and a block from a barrel making plant that sends paint fumes out strong enough it smells like your head is inside a paint can. The air here isn't safe so I don't worry about the sand. there are so many nasty things floating around or off-gassing that I don't worry about every small thing.

My kids are old enough to not eat it and after a month or so the sand that's left in them tends to end up being mud due to them not putting the lids on or them purposely dragging water to it. There are holes in the bottom of them to drain water but they don't work that well.

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melissa17s

· #7 · Apr 9, 2006

I thought sand was silica- there would be no way of getting around finding sand without silica. I would avoid really fine sand that is dusty, but larger grains should not be as easy to inhale. They should have a mesh size on the packaging that tells you the size of the grains. California labels everything carcinogenic- even french fries.

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Monkeyfeet

· #8 · Apr 9, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by melissa17s
They should have a mesh size on the packaging that tells you the size of the grains.

I know nothing about sand. My dd is 18 mths, so what size should I look for?

thanks!

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Peppamint

· #9 · Apr 12, 2006

I was just doing a search for this because we have a big pile of sand leftover from making mortar when dh and UIL laid a foundation. I found this article here: http://www.checnet.org/healthehouse/...sp?Main_ID=949

Sounds like you just want gritty sand and not the super fine stuff.

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srain

· #10 · Apr 13, 2006

If this is a huge concern for you, you could get pea gravel (little rocks) instead of sand. I, personally, don't think it's a big enough issue to fret about.

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