2 Brands of Child’s Play Sand Barred by 2 Toy Store Chains

Two chains of toy stores have removed from their shelves two popular brands of children’s play sand that may contain unsafe levels of cancer-causing asbestos, state officials said Friday.

Preliminary tests ordered on the white, powdery sand showed that Premium Play Sand, made by Gemstar Co. and sold through Child World toy stores, may contain up to 3% asbestos, said state Health Department spokeswoman Sue Bernstein.

Kiddies Fun Sand, made by Quickrete Co. of Atlanta and sold through Toys ‘R’ Us, was shown in preliminary tests to contain less than 1% of the substance.