British Authorities Warn of 'Carcinogenic' Children's Toy Sold on Shein

British authorities have warned against a children’s toy sold on the Shein platform, following suspicions that the sand inside it contains asbestos, a carcinogenic substance.

The UK Product Safety and Standards Office stated that the product “does not meet official safety requirements for toys,” urging consumers to stop using it immediately and keep it out of children’s reach.

Authorities asked consumers to check their purchases for the product number, while Shein announced the recall of the item, offering full refunds and apologizing for listing the toy for sale.

Shein emphasized that the toy should not be returned to stores and provided guidance on safe disposal, keeping it away from children.

The toy consists of wooden blocks with transparent plastic windows, filled with sand containing asbestos—a heat-resistant material widely used in construction and insulation before its health risks became clear.

Its danger lies in microscopic fibers that can become airborne when materials containing asbestos are broken, drilled, or otherwise disturbed, and then enter the body when inhaled.

Exposure to asbestos is linked to serious diseases, including lung cancer and mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer affecting the lining of certain organs in the body.

According to the UK Health and Safety Executive, exposure to asbestos causes approximately 5,000 deaths annually in the United Kingdom.