About 30 schools in Australia have been fully or partially closed following warnings about asbestos contamination in children's sand products. The recall notice issued by the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) was prompted by the detection of tremolite asbestos in certain products sold at various retailers, including Officeworks.
The ACCC characterized the risk from asbestos as 'low', stating that asbestos fibers could potentially become airborne under certain conditions, but the health threat remains concerning.
In the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), authorities fully closed at least 15 schools and seven preschools due to the risk, with several other institutions shut down as a precautionary measure. A similar situation is reported in Queensland. Meanwhile, schools in Victoria and New South Wales have been alerted to remove any affected products promptly but have not closed.
The ACCC's investigation revealed that while tremolite asbestos was found in some samples, no respiratory asbestos was detected. It emphasized that the fibers pose a significant health risk when inhaled, potentially leading to serious lung diseases.
The contaminated sand products, imported from China, were available for purchase between 2020 and 2025, raising alarm among parents and educational institutions who viewed these items as integral to sensory play and creative activities.
Calls for a swift response to this issue were echoed by Yvette Berry, the ACT education minister, who emphasized the priority of ensuring the safety and well-being of children in schools. Meanwhile, a voluntary recall was also issued by the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment for similar products to protect their consumers.
