Australian primary schools and preschools were abruptly shut this morning just hours before classes were due to start over asbestos contamination fears.
Traces of chrysotile asbestos was found in a coloured sand used for craft and sensory play used in ACT schools, the territory's education department said.
The coloured sand was also sold and used in New Zealand, where the Ministry of Education has advised schools and educational facilities not to attempt to clean it up, but leave the area and close off access to affected spaces.
In Australia, 15 primary schools and three preschools were shut on Friday, while five more schools were partially shut.
Asbestos testing will be carried out at impacted schools during the closures.
"While WorkSafe ACT has identified the risk of exposure to traces of chrysotile is low, the safety of our schools is our highest priority," the ACT territory edcuation department said in a statement.
The decorative coloured sand product at the schools was imported from China and is sold as Kadink Decorative Sand in tubes weighing 10 grams, Worksafe ACT said.
It comes after a national recall of children's sand products sold at retailers including Officeworks, Educating Kids, Modern Teaching Aids and Zart Art.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission issued the alert on Wednesday after traces of tremolite asbestos was detected in laboratory testing.
Products affected were labelled as Kadink Sand (1.3kg), Educational Colours Rainbow Sand (1.3kg) and Creatistics Coloured Sand (1kg).
The products have been sold in Australia since 2020 while a voluntary recall has also been issued in New Zealand.
ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said Officeworks had removed affected products from shelves.
Worksafe ACT urged anyone with the product in their home or arts and crafts containing the sand to dispose of it immediate but do everything they can to prevent fibres from becoming airborne.
That includes 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.
– additional reporting by rnz.co.nz.
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