Australian schools and preschools, particularly within the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), have experienced full or partial closures following widespread recalls of children's play sand products found to contain asbestos. The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) has initiated several recalls for products, many of which are imported from China and have been sold since 2020. While the ACCC assesses the risk of asbestos fibers becoming airborne or inhalable as low unless the material is mechanically processed, educational institutions have implemented closures to facilitate testing and remediation efforts.
School Closures and Operational Adjustments
On Monday, 69 schools in the ACT were scheduled for closure. This action follows earlier full or partial closures on Friday, which affected several schools and preschools in the region. Those initial incidents were linked to asbestos warnings associated with children's sand products distributed by Officeworks. Across Australia, approximately 30 educational institutions have been impacted by these concerns, with reports indicating at least 15 schools and seven preschools in the ACT previously fully closed, and six others partially closed as a precautionary measure. A school closure has also been reported in Queensland.
ACT Education Minister Yvette Berry confirmed that the affected products were utilized in public schools for sensory play, arts, and crafts. She stated that the closures were enacted to facilitate immediate testing and remediation efforts. Initial air testing conducted across all ACT schools has yielded negative results for airborne asbestos.
Product Recalls and Identification
The ACCC issued a recall notice on Wednesday after laboratory testing detected traces of tremolite asbestos in specific coloured sand products. Kmart and Target subsequently initiated recalls for their products on Saturday. Minister Berry indicated that the Kmart and Target sand products were more extensively used within the school system compared to the Officeworks products.
Products identified in the recalls include:
- Kadink Sand (1.3kg)
- Educational Colours - Rainbow Sand (1.3kg)
- Creatistics - Coloured Sand (1kg)
Officeworks additionally recalled:
- Kadink six-piece decorative sand
- KD Plain Sand (1.3kg)
- KD Magic Sand (2kg) in natural and purple variants.
Modern Brands Pty Ltd has also issued a nationwide recall for its Sand Art Bottle kit (Item code: MND4232) due to the detection of asbestos in the coloured sand bags. Specific affected kits for this recall are identified by SKU 14232 and batch numbers DFT19326, DFT20136, DFT20170, DFT20225, DFT20251, DFT21081, DFT21202, and DON23180.
These affected sand products, imported from China, have been sold across Australia from 2020 to 2025 through various stationery supply chains. New Zealand's Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment also issued a voluntary recall for EC Rainbow Sand (1.3kg) and Creatistics - Coloured Sand (1kg) as a precautionary measure following the Australian testing.
Asbestos Risk Assessment and Health Information
Asbestos is a prohibited substance in Australia and is known to cause lung damage and diseases, including cancer, when its fibers are inhaled. The ACCC has assessed the risk of asbestos becoming airborne or fine enough for inhalation as "low." The commission clarified that respiratory asbestos was not detected in any samples, and the release of respiratory asbestos fibers was considered "unlikely" unless the material was processed mechanically, such as by crushing or pulverizing. Expert testing for the Modern Brands recall similarly indicated that respirable asbestos was not detected in samples and is unlikely to release dangerous fibers unless mechanically processed.
Consumer Guidance and Official Response
Consumers who have identified an affected kit are advised to discontinue use immediately. The disposal of asbestos-contaminated material requires adherence to specific guidelines from the ACCC and the Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency. Safe disposal guidelines are available on the ACCC Product Safety website. For refunds, consumers should contact the place of purchase with proof of purchase. Inquiries related to the Modern Brands recall can be directed to recalls@modernbrands.com.au. The ACCC is monitoring the situation in coordination with state and territory health agencies.