The ACT Government has confirmed the closure today of 71 public schools following a recall of children’s coloured play sand products by Kmart and Target after asbestos was detected in some samples.
In a statement yesterday, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said the two major retailers had issued a voluntary recall notice for four additional brands of the ‘magic’ sand, after asbestos was detected in laboratory testing.
“Importantly, respirable asbestos has not been detected in any of the tested samples. The release of respirable asbestos fibres is unlikely to occur in its current state, unless the sand is processed by mechanical means such as crushing or pulverising,” the Commission said in a statement.
It said the risk that any asbestos found is likely to be airborne or fine enough for inhalation was low.
The ACT Education Directorate commenced an audit of all ACT public schools for the affected products yesterday.
“We have found that use of this product is widespread across ACT public schools,” the Government said in a statement.
69 schools have been identified as stocking this brand of sand, while three schools were found to have small stocks, however these were isolated and not impacting learning.
“In line with our regulatory obligations, and in the interest of the safety of our students, staff and community we have decided to close some schools that have this product to allow for assessment clean-up and remediation to occur,” the Government stated.
“We will continue to follow all advice from WorkSafe ACT and recommendations from licenced contractors.”
In South Australia, 130 schools were reported to have the sand, however the product was still sealed in 88 of the education facilities.
No schools have been closed, but the state’s Education Department has issued a hazard alert to “all schools, preschools and OSHC sites”.
The Department confirmed licensed asbestos contractors will start removing recalled sand products from its sites today starting with sites with loose sand, with some classroom closed for cleaning.
No schools have been listed as closed in NSW, Victoria or Queensland.
