More than seventy ACT public schools paused on-site learning this week as authorities expanded precautionary checks and cleaning of children’s coloured play sand now linked to asbestos contamination. The education directorate confirmed the decision followed the national recall of multiple sand products stocked in classrooms, sandpits and curriculum materials, with suppliers including Kmart, Target, Educational Colours and Officeworks. While the health risk has been assessed as low, the scale of distribution and uncertainty around product origins prompted a coordinated shutdown to allow urgent removal and testing.
Testing by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission revealed asbestos traces in some samples of the sand, including tremolite and chrysotile. The fibres are present in bundled form, which expert advice suggests poses limited inhalation risk. However, due to the hazardous nature of asbestos, authorities have stressed that caution must guide every response. Products have been arriving in Australia since 2020, with more than one thousand schools and early learning centres across the country reporting they have used the sand for play and teaching.
A further development has traced at least some of the contaminated sand to a quarry in China. Investigations are ongoing to determine exactly which operations sourced and exported the product. ACCC deputy chair Catriona Lowe confirmed that the discovery of asbestos came by chance, during laboratory calibration of a new machine rather than any suspicion about the products. Testing was not previously required for these imports, as suppliers are responsible for assessing risk under current product safety regulation. The ACCC has since called for improvements to Australia’s product safety regime, noting that other OECD countries have stronger proactive testing obligations.
National action widens as retailers respond
More than eighty retailers are now involved in the voluntary recall, with WorkSafe authorities and suppliers conducting broader testing to locate any additional affected products. Some listings initially remained online, including on global marketplace Temu, where the sand was advertised as non-toxic and safe. Those listings have since been withdrawn, and the ACCC has confirmed it will closely scrutinise any continued sale of recalled items.
In the ACT, seventy-one schools were closed to allow controlled removal, secure storage and authorised disposal of sand products. Disposal requires gloves, masks and sealed heavy-duty bags, stored away from children before delivery to licenced facilities. Families and staff have been contacted directly, with a dedicated hotline established for updates.
While current health advice maintains the risk to humans is low, authorities emphasise that any asbestos exposure demands decisive action. Precaution, transparency and ongoing testing remain central as agencies, education providers and retailers work to ensure safety across learning communities.
