About 30 schools in Australia have been fully or partially closed after a warning over asbestos risks in children's sand. A recall notice for the coloured products, which were found to contain traces of tremolite asbestos, was issued by the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) on Wednesday. The regulator said there was a low risk that the asbestos could become airborne or fine enough for inhalation, but it may still pose a risk.
On Friday, at least 15 schools and seven preschools in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) were fully closed, with others partially closed as a precaution. In Queensland, closures have also been reported. The ACCC stated that tremolite asbestos, a naturally occurring form, had been detected in some samples after lab tests, although no respirable asbestos was found in any of the samples. Asbestos can be dangerous when fibers are breathed in, potentially leading to serious health issues, including cancer.
The sand products, imported from China and sold throughout Australia between 2020 and 2025, are part of a recall aimed at ensuring children's safety. The products listed in the recall include Kadink Sand, Educational Colours - Rainbow Sand, and Creatistics - Coloured Sand. New Zealand also initiated a voluntary recall for similar products due to the Australian findings.
Yvette Berry, the education minister for ACT, acknowledged that this situation might distress families and reassured them that school closures would enable swift testing and remediation to occur. In other regions like Victoria, no school closures were deemed necessary as the health risk from these products was considered low. However, alerts were sent out in New South Wales for schools using these recalled products to ensure their immediate removal. The department reassured that the safety and wellbeing of students and staff remains their top priority.
On Friday, at least 15 schools and seven preschools in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) were fully closed, with others partially closed as a precaution. In Queensland, closures have also been reported. The ACCC stated that tremolite asbestos, a naturally occurring form, had been detected in some samples after lab tests, although no respirable asbestos was found in any of the samples. Asbestos can be dangerous when fibers are breathed in, potentially leading to serious health issues, including cancer.
The sand products, imported from China and sold throughout Australia between 2020 and 2025, are part of a recall aimed at ensuring children's safety. The products listed in the recall include Kadink Sand, Educational Colours - Rainbow Sand, and Creatistics - Coloured Sand. New Zealand also initiated a voluntary recall for similar products due to the Australian findings.
Yvette Berry, the education minister for ACT, acknowledged that this situation might distress families and reassured them that school closures would enable swift testing and remediation to occur. In other regions like Victoria, no school closures were deemed necessary as the health risk from these products was considered low. However, alerts were sent out in New South Wales for schools using these recalled products to ensure their immediate removal. The department reassured that the safety and wellbeing of students and staff remains their top priority.
