Australian schools shut over asbestos risk in children’s sand

About 30 schools in Australia have been completely or partially closed after a warning about the dangers of asbestos in children’s sand.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) on Wednesday issued a recall notice for colored products, which were found to contain traces of tremolite asbestos.

The regulator said there was a “low” risk of asbestos becoming airborne or fine enough to inhale, but it “may still pose a risk”.

On Friday, at least 15 schools and seven pre-schools in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) – where Canberra is located – were fully closed, with another six schools partially closed as a precaution. There are also reports of school closures in Queensland.

Tremolite asbestos, a naturally occurring asbestos, was detected in some samples after laboratory tests, the ACCC said.

But it added that no respiratory asbestos was detected in any of the samples and that the release of respiratory asbestos fibers from the sand was “unlikely” unless they were “processed by mechanical means” such as crushing or crushing.

Asbestos, a banned substance in Australia, becomes dangerous when the fibers are inhaled. It can damage the lungs and cause diseases including cancer.

The sand products, which are imported from China and sold across Australia between 2020 and 2025, are sold through several office supply chains, including one of the country’s best-known retailers, Officeworks.

Products set forth in Reminder notification They are categorized as Cadenic Sand (1.3 kg), Educational Colors – Rainbow Sand (1.3 kg) and Creativity – Colored Sand (1 kg).

The New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment also issued a Voluntary recall For EC Rainbow Sand (1.3kg) and Creatistics – Colored Sand (1kg products) as a “precautionary measure” after testing in Australia.

In addition, Officeworks has recalled a six-pack of Kadink decorative sand, KD Plain Sand (1.3kg) and KD Magic Sand (2kg) in Natural and Purple.

The products are “used in some of our public schools for sensory play and arts and crafts,” ACT Education Minister Yvette Berry said on social media.

“I understand that this news may be upsetting for families,” she added. “Closing schools will allow testing and treatment to take place as quickly as possible.”

A Victorian spokesperson confirmed that no state schools there would be closed due to the warning, saying they had been advised that “the health risks from the use of these products are low.”

“As such, there is no indication that schools or early childhood services need to close at this time,” they added.

The spokesman said officials were working “rapidly” to identify schools and early childhood services that may be using the recalled products, and would then support them to follow treatment advice from relevant authorities.

In New South Wales, where schools were also not closed, a safety alert was sent to all public schools to “immediately and safely remove these sand products if present.”

“The health, safety and well-being of students, staff and school community is the administration’s top priority,” they added.