From play sand to doorstops – the everyday items that could contain asbestos in the home

When most people think of asbestos, they picture old buildings or garage roofs.

But, in recent months, asbestos has been making headlines for a very different reason.

A number of consumer products have been recalled after testing found traces of naturally occurring asbestos. Among them were children’s play sand and toys.

Now, asbestos has been found in doorstops stocked by Dunelm, leaving many people asking the same question – how can asbestos still be present in products being sold in the UK more than 25 years after it was banned?

While these recent recalls relate to contamination in raw materials rather than the deliberate use of asbestos, they serve as an important reminder that asbestos isn’t just something hidden inside old buildings.

Historically, asbestos was used in thousands of products because it was strong, durable and highly resistant to heat.

Everyday items that may contain – or have historically contained – asbestos

• Play sand, sand art kits, candle-making kits, science kits and sensory toys have all been recalled after testing identified naturally occurring asbestos contamination within the sand used to manufacture them. The risk to consumers is considered low, particularly where products have remained sealed or have been used as intended. However, anyone who owns an affected product should stop using it immediately and follow the manufacturer’s recall guidance.
• Doorstops – Some were filled with sand or stone aggregates that were later found to contain trace amounts of asbestos, resulting in products being withdrawn from sale by several retailers.
• Electrical appliances. Years ago, manufacturers commonly used asbestos inside toasters, hairdryers and electric heaters because of its excellent heat-resistant properties. Most have long since been replaced, but older appliances should never be dismantled without understanding what materials they contain.
• Irons and ironing boards – Likewise older irons and ironing boards, manufactured in the 1980s or earlier may also contain asbestos. The metal tray or head section of older ironing boards could contained a heat-resistant asbestos pad or block for a hot iron to rest on. Some older fabric ironing boards covers were also woven with asbestos fibres.
• Oven gloves – Before safer alternatives became available, asbestos was frequently used in fire blankets, oven gloves and other heat-resistant products.
• Textured ceilings – Artex and other decorative textured coatings were extremely popular in homes built or renovated before the late 1980s. Many contained small amounts of asbestos. They are generally considered safe if left in good condition, but drilling, sanding or scraping the surface during DIY or refurbishment work can release asbestos fibres.
• Vinyl floor tiles – Older vinyl floor tiles and the black adhesive used to fix them to the floor often contained asbestos. Although these materials are usually low risk when left undisturbed, removing old flooring without first establishing whether asbestos is present can expose you to unnecessary risk.
• Pipe lagging and asbestos insulation board – Some of the highest-risk asbestos-containing materials remain hidden inside pipe lagging, boiler insulation and asbestos insulation board (AIB) as they were commonly used around heating systems, airing cupboards, partition walls and service ducts.

What should you do if you suspect asbestos is in your house?

Simply having asbestos in your home doesn’t necessarily present a risk. The danger arises when asbestos-containing materials are damaged or disturbed, allowing microscopic fibres to become airborne.

If you’re planning DIY, renovations or refurbishment work in a property built before 2000, it’s always worth checking whether asbestos could be present before work begins.

Never drill, cut, sand or remove materials you suspect may contain asbestos without first seeking professional advice.

If you suspect you may have a product in your home that contains asbestos, follow the manufacturer’s recall instructions and dispose of the item safely. If you would like to know for sure, we can test the product for you in our on site laboratory.

Whether you’re planning home improvements, purchasing an older property or simply want reassurance, our experienced team can identify asbestos-containing materials and provide practical, expert advice on how they should be managed.

Acorn is a professional asbestos consultancy helping organisations deal with asbestos compliance using asbestos surveys, asbestos air testing, and asbestos removal management. 

Please call one of the team, or use the online form to obtain your free quotation. If you would like further information or advice on asbestos and asbestos training, contact the team on 01604 936523 or Contact Us.