Is it safe to let kids play in a backyard sandbox in a big city?
Usually, yes, with a cover and handwashing. City dust can add BPA-like chemicals to soil and sand.
Short answer
Usually, yes, if the sandbox is covered and kids wash hands before eating. An open sandbox in a city can collect outdoor dust from roads, buildings, and nearby industry. That dust can carry bisphenols such as BPA and BPS, plus parabens.
The goal is not to stop outdoor play. The goal is to lower the dirt-to-mouth exposure.
What the research says
A 2026 Environmental Monitoring and Assessment study measured bisphenols and parabens in soil and outdoor dust from a large metropolitan area. BPA was the main bisphenol found. Outdoor dust had higher levels than soil. The study estimated low short-term risk, but it also called for careful monitoring because long-term exposure can add up.
Young children deserve extra caution because they touch sand, then touch their mouths. They also eat more dust per pound of body weight than adults.
What to do at home
Use a fitted cover when the sandbox is not in use. Replace the sand at least once a year in a city yard. Keep food out of the sandbox. Wash hands and faces before snacks. If the sandbox sits near a busy road, move it farther from traffic or raise it off the ground.