Abstract
Children’s sandboxes promote play and early childhood development, but they can also be a source of environmental exposure to microbiological and parasitological risks. Due to frequent hand-to-mouth contact, young children are particularly susceptible to infections. Contaminated sand therefore poses a preventable risk to public health and reflects the level of environmental health protection.
Assessment of the microbiological safety of sand in children’s sandboxes from the perspective of children’s environmental health. A nationwide assessment of sand quality in children’s sandboxes in Slovakia was conducted using data from the state public health surveillance system. A total of 7,172 sand samples from kindergartens and public playgrounds were analyzed. The assessed indicators included thermotolerant coliform bacteria, fecal streptococci, Salmonella spp., and geohelminths, evaluated in accordance with national legislation. A total of 16.37% of samples failed to meet hygiene standards. Fecal indicator bacteria were detected less frequently than parasitic contamination. Geohelminths were the most common contaminant, indicating persistent problems with animal access and sandbox maintenance. The prevalence of Salmonella spp. was low and sporadic, but it poses a clinically significant risk to public health. Shortcomings in the microbiological safety of children’s sandboxes persist despite some improvement. Regular monitoring, rigorous enforcement of legislation, and targeted training for sandbox operators are essential to ensuring a safe play environment. Environmental surveillance remains a key tool for primary prevention in public health.
Key messages
• Many children’s sandboxes are microbiologically contaminated, and soil-transmitted helminths represent the most common preventable environmental health risk for young children.
• Regular monitoring, adherence to hygiene standards, and training for operators are essential to ensuring safe sandboxes and protecting children’s health.