Is it safe to let kids play in a backyard sandbox in a big city?

What's actually in it

A backyard sandbox in a city doesn't just have sand. It has everything that blew in on the wind: tire dust from nearby streets, building-material dust, particles from plastic waste, and the chemicals those particles carry. An open sandbox catches this steadily. Kids then put their hands in their mouths, sit cross-legged on the sand, and dig with cups that go from sand to snack without a wash.

Cats and other animals add another layer if the cover is off.

What the research says

A 2026 study in Environ Monit Assess measured bisphenols and parabens in soils and outdoor dust in a metropolitan area. The chemicals showed up in every sample, with highest levels in places close to industrial activity and major roads. Exposure risk was flagged specifically for young children, who ingest more soil and dust per pound of body weight than adults.

A closed cover between play sessions keeps most of the windblown dust out. A canopy or tarp that seals around the edges works better than a flat lid that the wind lifts. Rinse kids' hands before snacks, and change the sand once a year in a city lot. A raised sandbox up off street-level dust is cleaner than one sitting in a hollow.