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 said tremolite asbestos, a naturally occurring asbestos, had been detected in some samples after laboratory testing.
But it added that respiratory asbestos had not been detected in any of the samples and the release of respiratory asbestos fibres from the sand was “unlikely” unless it was “processed by mechanical means” such as crushing or pulverising.
Asbestos, a prohibited substance in Australia, becomes dangerous when fibres are breathed in. They can damage the lungs and cause diseases including cancer.
The sand products, which are imported from China and sold throughout Australia between 2020 and 2025, are sold by several stationery supply chains, including one of the country’s most popular retailers, Officeworks.
The products set out in the recall notice are labelled as Kadink Sand (1.3kg), Educational Colours – Rainbow Sand (1.3kg) and Creatistics – Coloured Sand (1kg).
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 products) as a “precautionary action” following the testing in Australia.
In addition, Officeworks has recalled Kadink six-piece decorative sand, KD Plain Sand (1.3kg) and KD Magic Sand (2kg) in natural and purple.
Yvette Berry, the ACT’s education minister, said on social media that the products were “used at some of our public schools for sensory play, and arts and crafts”.
“I understand that this news might be upsetting for families,” she added. “Closing schools will allow testing and remediation to occur as soon as possible”.
A spokesperson for the state of Victoria confirmed no state schools will close there over the warning, saying they’d been advised “the health risk from the use of these products is low”.
“As such, there is no indication of a need to close schools or early childhood services at this time,” they added.
The spokesperson said officials were working “swiftly” to identify schools and early childhood services that may be using the recalled products, and will then support them to follow the remediation advice from relevant authorities.
In New South Wales, where there have also been no school closures, a safety alert was sent to all public schools to “immediately and safely remove these sand products if they have them”.
“The health, safety, and wellbeing of students, staff, and the school community is the department’s highest priority,” they added.