More than seventy public schools in the Australian Capital Territory were forced to close their doors on Monday following the discovery of potentially hazardous asbestos in children's play sand products. The widespread closure affected institutions across Canberra, including Weetangera Primary School, as authorities moved to assess and clean the contaminated materials.
Widespread Product Recall Sparks Precautionary Action
The territory's education directorate made the decision to shut down schools after identifying widespread use of coloured play sand products that had been sold through major retailers Kmart and Target. These products were subject to an official recall over the weekend after laboratory testing conducted for the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) detected asbestos in some samples.
This incident marks the second such recall within a week. Previously, more than a dozen primary and preschools in the ACT experienced full or partial closures following the recall of another range of children's sand products supplied by wholesaler Shamrock Australia and art supplies company Educational Colours.
Understanding the Health Risks and Official Response
Despite the serious nature of the contamination, health authorities have assessed the immediate risk as low. The ACCC confirmed that respirable, airborne asbestos had not been detected in any tested samples. They noted that the release of dangerous asbestos fibres is unlikely unless the sand is processed by mechanical means such as crushing or pulverising.
Nevertheless, as a precautionary measure, the ACT education directorate conducted a comprehensive audit of all public schools. The investigation revealed that the recalled sand was present in 69 schools, with isolated amounts found in three additional institutions. Twenty schools were confirmed to be completely clear of the affected products.
The commonwealth government's health department has been coordinating with national regulators to ensure consistent safety measures across the country. In their official statement, they emphasised that based on current information, there is no need to seek medical attention for exposure to these products.
Safety Guidelines and Broader Impact
Consumers who have purchased the affected products have been advised to stop using them immediately and follow strict asbestos disposal protocols. The safety guidelines recommend wearing protective equipment including gloves, masks and disposable coveralls when handling the contaminated sand. The material should be placed in heavy-duty plastic bags, securely sealed, and taken to authorised disposal facilities.
While the ACT faced the most significant disruptions, other states have also taken precautionary measures. New South Wales education authorities issued a safety alert advising all public schools in the state to immediately remove any affected sand products, though no school closures were reported in NSW.
The ACT government established a public school hotline (13 22 81) to keep staff and families informed about developments. The situation continues to evolve as more comprehensive scientific testing is underway to determine the full extent of the contamination.
