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) - where Canberra is situated - were fully closed, with six others partially closed as a precaution. There are also reports of a school closure in Queensland. The ACCC stated that tremolite asbestos, a naturally occurring asbestos, had been detected in some samples after laboratory testing. However, it noted respiratory asbestos had not been detected in any samples, making it unlikely for respiratory asbestos fibres to be released from the sand unless processed mechanically.
Asbestos is a prohibited substance in Australia and can cause serious health issues when inhaled. These sand products have been imported from China and sold throughout Australia between 2020 and 2025 by several retailers, including Officeworks. The products affected include Kadink Sand, Educational Colours - Rainbow Sand, and Creatistics - Coloured Sand.
Yvette Berry, the ACT's education minister, conveyed on social media that these products were typically used for sensory play and arts and crafts in public schools. She added that closing schools will facilitate necessary testing and remediation.
Meanwhile, in the state of Victoria, authorities confirmed no schools would close there, citing a low health risk. New South Wales has issued a safety alert prompting schools to remove the recalled sand products from their premises to ensure student and staff safety.
On Friday, at least 15 schools and seven preschools in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) - where Canberra is situated - were fully closed, with six others partially closed as a precaution. There are also reports of a school closure in Queensland. The ACCC stated that tremolite asbestos, a naturally occurring asbestos, had been detected in some samples after laboratory testing. However, it noted respiratory asbestos had not been detected in any samples, making it unlikely for respiratory asbestos fibres to be released from the sand unless processed mechanically.
Asbestos is a prohibited substance in Australia and can cause serious health issues when inhaled. These sand products have been imported from China and sold throughout Australia between 2020 and 2025 by several retailers, including Officeworks. The products affected include Kadink Sand, Educational Colours - Rainbow Sand, and Creatistics - Coloured Sand.
Yvette Berry, the ACT's education minister, conveyed on social media that these products were typically used for sensory play and arts and crafts in public schools. She added that closing schools will facilitate necessary testing and remediation.
Meanwhile, in the state of Victoria, authorities confirmed no schools would close there, citing a low health risk. New South Wales has issued a safety alert prompting schools to remove the recalled sand products from their premises to ensure student and staff safety.
