Urgent recall warning to parents after more children's toys are suspected to be contaminated with asbestos

• More product recalls have been issued for children’s toys, which could be contaminated with asbestos.
• The eight toys may have small levels of asbestos, which may be a ‘risk to health’.
• Parents have been warned to ‘stop using’ the toys immediately.

Another batch of children’s toys have been urgently recalled over fears the sand within them may be contaminated with small levels of asbestos.

The eight products distributed by KTL (Kandy Toys) include stretchy toys and two science kits. It is the latest alert issued over fears that sand could be contaminated with asbestos following a warning for a sand art kit and candle-making kit issued in February.

Asbestos was banned in the UK in November 1999; it poses serious health risks even at low levels of exposure, with anyone who has purchased the kit being warned to “stop using it immediately” by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS).

What is asbestos?

Asbestos is the name given to a collection of minerals that can cause serious health risks, even at low levels. It was commonly used in building materials until the risks of breathing it in were discovered. Blue and brown asbestos have been banned in the UK since 1985; the ban was extended to include white asbestos in 1999.

All forms of asbestos are hazardous. When products containing asbestos are disrupted or damaged, they release fibres into the air, which, when breathed in, can cause respiratory illness and fatal diseases, including cancer.

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What toys have been recalled?

A selection of toys from KTL (formerly Kandy Toys) has been recalled due to the potential risk to health, as the sand included in the set may be contaminated with a quantity of asbestos.

The recalled toys include:

KTL 2pc Balloon Dog Toy

• Description: Stretchy balloon dog toys filled with sand-like material.
• Item number: TY4313
• Barcode: 5063389102319

KTL Stretchy Poop Toy

• Description: Stretchy poop-shaped toys filled with sand-like material.
• Item number: TY3650
• Barcode: 5033849027407

KTL Squishy Stretchy Capybara toy

• Description: Stretchy Capybara toys filled with sand-like material.
• Item number: TY3634
• Barcode: 5063389048907

KTL Squeezy Splatter Pig toy

• Description: Stretchy pig toys filled with sand-like material.
• Item number: TY3550
• Barcode: 5063389048747

KTL 2.2kg Squishy Hot Colour Gorilla Toy

• Description: Stretchy gorilla toys filled with sand-like material.
• Item number: TY3537
• Barcode: 5063389048716

KTL 3Pcs Test Tube Science Kit

• Description: Toy science kit including sand-like material and plastic test tubes.
• Item number: TY2171
• Barcode: 5033849986032

KTL Stretchy Dog Toys

• Description: Stretchy dog toys filled with sand-like material.
• Item number: TY1159
• Barcode: 5033849929411

KTL Sensory Science Kit

• Description: Toy science kit including sand-like material, vials and mixing beakers.
• Item number: TY1050
• Barcode: 5033849928803

What do you do if you’ve bought the items?

If you have bought any of the affected toys above, stop using them immediately. If the toy is undamaged or the sand in the science kits is still in its packaging, the items should be placed in a heavy-duty plastic bag, double-taped securely, labelled clearly and stored in a secure location out of the reach of children. They can then be disposed of in your general household waste.

If the sand has been used or the toy is damaged and the sand is exposed, wear a glove and mask to clean up areas where the toy was played with, using wet cloths to avoid generating dust. Double-bag any sand, gloves, mask and cloth. Keep children and other people away from areas where the sand has been used until the area is cleaned. The item can then be disposed of in general household waste.

If you purchased any of the affected toys, you can find out more about how to access a refund at Kandy Toys.