Safe Sand?

[Monzie]

I'm thinking about setting up a sandbox for our little guy this summer. He loves to dig and make a mess, just like most 18 month olds. But I just read some disturbing info about the bags of "play sand" that are commonly sold at toy stores and home centers. Most of that stuff contains silica sand, which is a known carcinogen and the dust is very unsafe to breathe. :eek: I can't believe they can legally sell it as filler for children's sandboxes!

Anyway. Now I'm looking into buying "Safe Sand"...which isn't made with silica. It is, however, quite costly ($60 for a 50 pound bag....and the sandbox I'm considering holds 200 pounds of sand...yikes!). I'm wondering whether there is a natural, safe, local alternative. I'm gonna call a few landscape places to see what they carry.

So, does anybody here have any experience buying Safe Sand or ordinary rock sand from a garden center?

Geez, who knew this would be so complicated! When I was a kid, we just had a sand pit dug into our backyard and filled with some random leftover sand from one of Dad's little DIY projects. Of course, it was also full of cat poop...:yuck: ...which is why I'm looking at a covered sandbox for my LO.

[Jenette]

um ... I didnt know. My dd just has washed sand from our sand/rock/dirt improvement seller. At least we hve it covered so the neighbors cat wont go in it.

[Chesherca]

I am worried about this! We set up a sandbox for my little girl (21 months), and AFTER doing so, I heard this. I called the company where our sand came from ('Natural Play Sand' by a company named Sakrete, and bought at a local Home-Depot), and they said that their said is 100% natural, and as such, contains silica. They went on to say that ALL sand that is found in nature, including at the seashore, contains silica, because it has broken-down pieces of quartz in it, and that is where silica naturally comes from. . .so, yeah. . .natural rock sand.

The 'safe' sands are waaaay too expensive for us! We used 2 50-pound bags in our very small sandbox, and there is possibly room to put another bag in, if we wished to. . .so now my dilemma is, do I let her play in her sandbox (which she absolutely LOVES). Or do I take it away, because I can't afford the 'good' sand?

On the one hand, I played in sand throughout my entire childhood, along with all of my friends, and we're all fine. . .on the other hand, how can I knowingly expose my baby to something that could potentially cause her serious harm?

Honestley, I'm at a loss on this one. DH says I worry too much. . .

[angel0123]

My dad is a metelurgical (sp) engineer (rock expert) and he said for me to get to the sand used to mix concrete with since all the small particles have been removed.

[Jenette]

My dad is a metelurgical (sp) engineer (rock expert) and he said for me to get to the sand used to mix concrete with since all the small particles have been removed.

That is a great idea ... if you also keep it slightly damp or encourage water play the inhalation risk :thumbsup: