Australian regulators and state education authorities have initiated widespread school and preschool closures following the discovery of asbestos contamination in brightly coloured sand products used for sensory play and craft activities.

The national consumer watchdog, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), issued a recall of multiple sand lines this week after laboratory tests identified tremolite and chrysotile asbestos in samples imported from China and sold between 2020 and 2025.

In the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) alone, fifteen public schools and seven early childhood services were fully or partially closed as a precaution, while in Queensland a specialist school shut with immediate effect after discovering the products on its campus.

Though the ACCC and workplace-safety regulators indicated the risk of airborne fibres is low unless the material is crushed or pulverised, officials opted for full remediation in some facilities.

The recalled items include Kadink Sand (1.3kg), Educational Colours – Rainbow Sand (1.3kg) and Creatistics – Coloured Sand (1kg), along with multiple variants supplied through major retailer networks including Officeworks and others.

The ACCC’s recall notice clearly instructs consumers to stop using the sand, seal it in heavy-duty plastic bags, keep it out of reach of children, and arrange disposal through licensed asbestos removal professionals.

In New Zealand authorities responded concurrently: the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) announced a voluntary recall of the same product lines and urged schools and households to stop use immediately, secure the material, and ensure safe disposal under relevant workplace-safety laws.

State education departments across Australia have issued alerts: New South Wales sent safety notices to all public schools; Victoria’s department found the health risk “low” and did not close schools but mobilised checks; Tasmania, South Australia and the Northern Territory activated monitoring and removal protocols.

The Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency reiterated that importing or supplying asbestos or asbestos-containing goods is prohibited under Australian law.

While health authorities affirm that short-term exposure to sealed containers is unlikely to cause immediate harm, they emphasise that no level of asbestos exposure is considered entirely safe and recommend contact with a medical professional if there are concerns.

Remediation is under way: ACT officials said licensed contractors will work over the weekend to clear affected premises, with clearances expected ahead of Monday’s return to school.

Meanwhile, the ACCC continues to review supply-chain records for possible further contaminated batches and urges vigilance among educators, parents and retailers.