Looking to Purchase Safe Playsand in the Twin Cities

Silica dust can impact the lungs if it's inhaled. That's why potters mop their floors frequently and never scrape dry clay. It's why people who work with concrete or tile should wear a mask when they're mixing up bags of concrete, thinset, grout, etc.

Since sand is silica, I'm guessing that if you inhaled a lot of fine sand dust you'd be at a similar risk.

Maybe cover your mouth or stay upwind when you pour the sand into the sand box, but beyond that I wouldn't worry about this too much.

MC,
I had not heard of this either, but I do have a sand suggestion. Do NOT buy the white stuff. It sticks like glitter to anything. Your children will have it attached to their scalps and in all their crevices for a long time. It looks prettier, I admit, but buy the more natural brown play sand and you'll be glad you did. It sticks too, but not nearly as bad.

I was wondering the same thing a few years ago - saw the safesand stuff online and almost bought some of it (we have a very small sandbox). but we ended up buying play sand from toys R us. It didn't say anything about being safe but it didn't have the warning on it like the stuff at home depot. it was about $5 per bag.

I went through this last summer when wanting to fill a sandbox for my daughter. I had the folks at Menards give me the number for the place that produces the bagged sand they carried, and the manufacturer assured me that the sand was safe "play" sand. I'd maybe try to do the same thing. Find out who the manufacturer of the sand is at your local store, and contact them and ask.

I don't know any thing about sand causing cancer, but most garden centers (Bachmans) sell play sand.