Overview: Asbestos contamination in children’s play sand forces school checks
Authorities in New Zealand and Australia are investigating decorative play sand found to contain asbestos, prompting dozens of school and daycare closures as officials trace affected batches. The disruption has focused attention on imported classroom materials and the potential health risk to children and staff.
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- Forty schools and daycare centres in New Zealand closed temporarily while decorative sand was located and removed.
- More than 70 schools in Australia shut operations yesterday as institutions checked supplies.
What was found and where it came from
Testing has identified asbestos contamination in tubs of decorative play sand reportedly imported from China and used for classroom activities and crafts. Regulators and schools are working to identify suppliers, lots and distribution chains to remove any remaining product.
- WorkSafe New Zealand described the product as used in classroom activities and household crafts and said the sand is allegedly imported from China.
- Authorities are prioritising removal of the sand and tracing where individual batches were sold or distributed.
Health risk and scientific context
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fibre long linked to lung disease; prolonged inhalation of chrysotile fibres is associated with an increased risk of lung cancer. Officials say preliminary tests have not detected respirable fibres, but investigations continue to establish exposure risk.
- Long-term exposure to chrysotile asbestos fibres has a documented association with lung cancer and other respiratory diseases.
- Australia’s product safety watchdog said current testing has not found breathable fibres and that the risk of airborne asbestos is low unless the sand is mechanically crushed or pulverised.
Government and diplomatic responses
Regulators in both countries have issued safety checks and guidance while suppliers and retailers are being asked to account for stock. China’s foreign ministry said it had noted the reports and that local Australian businesses were communicating with suppliers to resolve the issue.
- New Zealand’s education ministry confirmed multiple closures while affected sand is removed and traced.
- Australian and New Zealand safety agencies are coordinating testing, removal and public information efforts.
Immediate steps for schools and parents
Schools and daycare centres have been urged to inspect craft and decorative materials, quarantine suspect products and follow guidance from workplace safety and public health authorities. Parents are being informed where closures occur and advised to await official testing results before drawing conclusions about exposure.
- Do not crush or otherwise mechanically process suspect sand; follow official guidance for safe handling and disposal.
- Contact local education authorities or workplace safety regulators for updates on testing and reopening timelines.
By Abdiwahab Ahmed
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
