More than a dozen primary and preschools in the ACT have shut their doors after an asbestos warning was issued for a range of colourful children’s sand products imported from China and sold at leading Australian retailers.
On Friday morning, the ACT’s education minister, Yvette Berry, confirmed 15 schools and three preschools would be fully closed and five schools would be partially closed to multiple cohorts while testing and remediation took place.
It followed a recall of 1.3kg versions of Kadink Sand (1.3kg) and Educational Colours – Rainbow Sand, as well as the 1kg packages of Creatistics – Coloured Sand products by the Australian Consumer Competition Commission (ACCC) on Wednesday due to chrysotile asbestos concerns.
In a post to Facebook around 9am on Friday morning, Berry said the situation was “evolving” and she understood the news “might be upsetting” for families.
She said the decorative sand product was used at some of the ACT’s public schools for sensory play and arts and crafts.
“WorkSafe ACT have advised the risk of exposure to traces of chrysotile is low, however the safety of students, staff and families is our highest priority,” she wrote.
“The decision to close schools has been made in line with Education Directorate policy and on the advice of WorkSafe on the safe management and remediation process required.
“The Education Directorate will advise of the testing results as soon as possible … The Education Directorate is providing advice to non-government schools, as well as early childhood education and care services.”
The ACCC said the products were sold throughout Australia between 2020 and 2025 including by other retailers Educating Kids, Modern Teaching Aids and Zart Art.
Officeworks has also recalled KD Plain Sand (1.3kg), KD Magic Sand (2kg) in natural and purple, and Kadink six-piece decorative sand over the concerns.
It said the products were made in China and nearly all of them were supplied by the art supplies company Educational Colours, apart from Kadink decorative sand, which was supplied by local wholesaler Shamrock Australia.
Cranleigh School, a specialist school in Holt, was among the schools to have shut.
In a post to Facebook on Friday morning, it said testing was already underway in some schools, which would continue over the weekend.
“Staff are not expected to provide teaching and learning to students today,” the post read. “Other duties that can be undertaken from home can continue. We are unable to access the building at all today.
“When works are complete, a clearance report will be provided to deem the spaces safe to use. On Sunday afternoon, we will confirm teaching and learning arrangements for Monday.”
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Asbestos, a hazardous material that can cause terminal diseases and has been banned in Australia since 2003, is not allowed to be imported except in very limited circumstances.
Worksafe ACT urged anyone with the product in their home or arts and crafts containing the sand to dispose of it immediately and do everything they can to prevent fibres from becoming airborne.
That included wearing disposable gloves, a P2-rated face mask and protective eyewear when disposing of any products.
“Do not disturb or use it and isolate the product,” the authority said.
“Carefully double wrap the sand, its container, and any related materials in 200-micron plastic bags, seal securely with tape, and clearly label the package as asbestos waste.”
Asbestos cannot be disposed of in general waste and must be taken to resource management facilities.
Asbestos-contaminated mulch prompted the closure of schools, hospitals and parks in Sydney in 2024 while historic dumping and legacy contamination was blamed for traces found at parks in Melbourne’s west.
-with AAP.