Seeking local source for "Feldspathic" or non-siliica play sand

Maybe I'm buying into a gimmick, but I want to find a local source for "safe playsand."

All of the big box stores and garden supply stores in my area have "silica-based" sand, mined from local quartz quarries. I've not been able to find feldspathic sand, which does not have the dangers associated with silica. (Breathing in silica dust is linked to respiratory cancer).

I am looking for anyone in the midwest that has sourced a safe play sand, similar to this California company:

http://safesand.stores.yahoo.net/...aysan.html

I estimate to need around 300 lbs, have a truck and would be willing to drive to Chicagoland / NW Indiana area for something which has an MSDS stating it is not from quartz/silica. I assume if I buy locally it won't be nearly the $1.00/pound that this company is charging.


Any ideas?

Thanks in advance,

Hmm. I had a sandbox as a kid and, as far as I can tell, I don't have respiratory cancer.

I think it's safe to assume that inhaling any sand dust is going to end badly.

Quote from kakomu : Hmm. I had a sandbox as a kid and, as far as I can tell, I don't have respiratory cancer.

I bet you'll find people who smoke cigarettes too and didn't get cancer.

Quote from redmaxx : I bet you'll find people who smoke cigarettes too and didn't get cancer.

Yea, but I bet you won't find many people who smoke cigarettes regularly and don't have respiratory problems.

Non-Silica sand makes sense I suppose, but I can't say I have ever heard of a playground or sand box using it. I'm thinking you may have to deal with the $1/lb you already have.

What is safe play sand made of? Another kind of crushed aggregate? You may be able to find a very fine construction gravel that isn't silica based.

Edit:
Just looked around, guess "SafeSand" is really just river sand or beach sand. Kind of what I was thinking above. Just check out a landscaping or gardening store and see what you get.

Quote from kakomu : Yea, but I bet you won't find many people who smoke cigarettes regularly and don't have respiratory problems.

All I'm saying is that's some pretty shoddy reasoning you've got there.

Quote from Somesort : Non-Silica sand makes sense I suppose, but I can't say I have ever heard of a playground or sand box using it. I'm thinking you may have to deal with the $1/lb you already have. What is safe play sand made of? Another kind of crushed aggregate? You may be able to find a very fine construction gravel that isn't silica based. Edit: Just looked around, guess "SafeSand" is really just river sand or beach sand. Kind of what I was thinking above. Just check out a landscaping or gardening store and see what you get.

Thanks, I've checked all the gardening stores and a couple of the larger landscaping stores in my area and they've been dumbfounded by this question.

For people questioning if this is a real problem, please refer to this MSDS: http://www.sakrete.com/uploads/do..._20101.pdf

Quote from redmaxx : All I'm saying is that's some pretty shoddy reasoning you've got there.

Eh, whatever.

The problem with the quartz sand is that you have to inhale the dust. Just wallowing in the sand won't give you cancer, but inhaling large quantities of quartz sand dust, on a regular basis (e.g. 8 hours a day, 5 days a week for extended periods of time) might give you Silicosis.

Btw, Charcoal smoke is carcinogenic. Better not grill around your kids either...