My kids played with contaminated sand in Adelaide – here’s what I want you to know
Almost 140 schools across SA have reported the presence of potentially asbestos-contaminated coloured sand – and my child played with it. This is what I want you to know.
“Our school … may have received a coloured sand product recently recalled by the ACC due to asbestos concerns.”
My heart sank.
Working in a newsroom, I was aware of the asbestos scare unfolding in the ACT and Queensland on Friday.
“Those poor parents,” I thought to myself as I published articles detailing how traces of asbestos had been found in brightly coloured sand designed for children’s play and craft activities interstate.
“I can’t imagine how I’d feel if that were my children.”
Then, just after 5.30pm, the emailed landed in my inbox.
It explained the sand “may” be on site, before it confusingly went on to say, “no staff or student will be permitted to access the sand or any area it was used until it is confirmed to be safe”.
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So, it was on site, and it had been opened?
The email then directed parents to contact the school with any questions or concerns. But being 5.30pm on a Friday evening that wasn’t exactly helpful.
Over the weekend, I read every story, checked every release, looking for information.
I found out that yes, the sand was at my children’s school and yes, it has been opened.
I tried to make it casual.
“Have you guys done any craft at school with colourful sand?” I asked them.
“No, never,” my son told me. I exhaled.
Then my little girl looked at me and with beaming eyes told me: “I did! Purple sand. It was so much fun.”
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My children’s school is one of nearly 140 sites across SA that have been affected by the recall – first issued on Wednesday – for the sand products, which are sold by retailers including Officeworks, Educating Kids, Modern Teaching Aids and Zart Art.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said there was concern the imported products – manufactured in China – may contain tremolite asbestos, described as “a naturally occurring asbestos”, after it was detected in some samples after laboratory testing.
A check online quickly revealed chronic exposure to airborne tremolite can increase the risk of lung cancer, mesothelioma, and non-malignant lung and pleural disorders.
So understandably, there are many parents – like myself – who are feeling worried about our kids’ potential exposure to asbestos, which has been banned in Australia since 2003.
But I’m writing to tell you the risks in this case are low.
There are six different types of asbestos; all are dangerous. But the most dangerous type – crocidolite asbestos or “blue” asbestos – has not been reported as a contaminant in this case.
Any health issues associated with asbestos also appear to have come from long-term exposure where it has been inhaled once airborne. That’s not the case here.
And lastly, this recall is precautionary.
According to the ACCC, the recalled products have been sold throughout Australia between 2020 and 2025. But if regular testing has occurred it’s likely the contamination is more recent and could be limited to a single batch.
Speaking on ABC radio this morning, Education Minister Blair Boyer, whose daughter’s school was also affected by the recall, said he was “confident the way it’s been handled by schools and the advice from the regulator is the correct advice”.
“I never want to minimise this stuff because it is asbestos,” he said.
“(But) it is absolutely low risk.”
For more information, visit the South Australian Government asbestos website www.asbestos.sa.gov.au
