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I assume the sand just has iron filings in it?  If so, you can find the MSDS
for iron filings by doing a search on those words.  It seems like the main
difference between sand boxes and this type of exhibit is that you're
presumably encouraging people to use a magnet to concentrate the iron
filings.  Technically iron filings are somewhat toxic if ingested or
inhaled, although the doses seem to be a bit uncertain.  If a very little
kid swallowed or inhaled a lot of filings they might be able to do some
damage, but that seems fairly unlikely.  The MSDS describes them as
"slightly hazardous" if inhaled or ingested or with eye or skin contact (the
eye and skin contact is just from the potential for mechanical abrasion, but
 I'm not sure that's really much different from regular old sand).

Suzanne Mallery

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