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Anxiety asbestos in toys

Anxietyfilled
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My anxiety over asbestos in childrens toys has sent me in to a complete spiral. My children have done several dig kits. Due to the nature of digging out the toy the substance has been blowing everywhere and created a fine dust. Im sure on occasions the dust has been in hair and on skin and everywhere. On one occasion it was done outside because my son was enjoying all the smashing and bashing of the fossil thing. He bashed and smashed it to pieces until it was fine dust. I am now in a complete and utter state and have had to go on medication. Despite the medication I am completely distraught. I cant eat or sleep 

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    What makes you think there was asbestos in the toys.

    Damage to health from asbestos is usually seem in older people eho have worked with it for many years. 

  • Offline in reply to Clastegra

    Toys are being recalled due to asbestos contamination. 

  • Hello and thank you for posting.

    I am sorry this has caused you huge amounts of anxiety, I hope I can reassure you.

    Many people worry when they think they or their children may have been exposed to asbestos. But, even though your child played with these toys a lot, this is still short‑term, low‑level exposure, which is highly unlikely to cause asbestos‑related diseases.

    Asbestos is still a very common substance and most people are exposed to a very small amount of asbestos fibres in their lives and yet asbestos related diseases are rare. So if you can, try not to be overly worried. It is regular occupational exposure to asbestos over many years that is known to increase the risk of lung disease and cancer, often two or three decades later.

    It's worth bearing in mind that practically everyone is exposed to asbestos and that low levels are present in our environment as it can be found in air and soil and yet very few people become ill. 

    You can read more about asbestos exposure on the British Lung Cancer Foundation website.

    I hope this helps.

    If you need further support with managing your anxiety, or if you feel it's getting worse then do speak to your GP. Mind, the mental health charity have tools that can help manage anxiety and worry if useful.

    Take care 

    Sarah.

  • Offline in reply to CRUK Nurse Sarah

    Thank you so much for your reply. I have an appointment with the GP next week as this level of anxiety is unbearable. Most information I have read states its safer in sand form as the fibres are undisturbed. However by the nature of these toys fibres must be released as it involves digging and bashing the material out until there is a fine dust everywhere. Am I correct in assuming the levels would remain low even if every single fibre was released. There was one occasion my child smashed all the block to pieces and he had to have a shower as the powder was in his hair and clothes and face everywhere. I cant sleep thinking about it 

  • in reply to Anxietyfilled

    Hello and thanks for your further post,

    I am sorry that you still remain anxious after Nurse Sarah's post. People who have been exposed to asbestos for many years are more at risk at getting mesothelioma. Your son in comparison was only in the sand for a very short time which probably had no asbestos.

    Even after many years of exposure which is mainly in the building industry, this type of cancer is rare so try not to dwell on it.

    I do hope that your GP is able to help manage your anxiety.

    I wish you all the best,

    Catherine

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