More than 70 public schools in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) were forced to close on Monday after children’s colored play sand widely used on campuses was found to potentially contain asbestos. The products, sold by Kmart and Target, were recalled over the weekend by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). Laboratory tests detected asbestos in some samples. Although authorities assessed the risk of children inhaling asbestos fibers in the air as low, the closures were carried out as a precautionary measure.
Previously, over a dozen primary schools and kindergartens were partially or fully closed due to recalls of another batch of play sand supplied by Shamrock Australia and Educational Colours. The Kmart and Target products affected this time include the Active Sandtub 14-piece sandcastle set and blue, green, and pink Magic Sand.
Asbestos has been completely banned in Australia since 2003. The ACCC noted that inhalable asbestos fibers have not yet been detected in the current samples unless the sand products are crushed or processed. Authorities have still instructed the public to immediately stop using the products, follow safety procedures, wear protective equipment, seal the products, and dispose of them at authorized facilities.