More than 100 SA schools report finding asbestos-contaminated decorative sand
About 130 South Australian schools have reported the presence of asbestos-contaminated coloured play sand on their grounds. See the full list of sites.
About 130 South Australian schools have reported the presence of asbestos-contaminated coloured play sand on their grounds, with specialist cleaners set to clear affected sites on Monday.
The schools and early learning centres responded to an urgent hazard alert issued by the Education Department on Friday, after it was revealed that several children’s sand products had been recalled over concerns they may contain asbestos.
The ACCC said the imported products – manufactured in China – could include tremolite asbestos, a naturally occurring asbestos, which was detected in some samples after laboratory testing.
Chronic exposure to airborne tremolite can increase the risk of lung cancer, mesothelioma, and non-malignant lung and pleural disorders.
A department spokesperson said that “contained sand” was confirmed at about 88 sites and “loose sand” at about 20 sites, with unconfirmed reports of the potentially dangerous products at the other 22 locations.
Education Minister Blair Boyer said all asbestos needed to be treated seriously but the advice from SafeWork SA was that this was low risk.
“We were straight on it. This stuff is serious. We’ve followed SafeWork SA advice every step.
We put an alert to all schools as soon as we were aware that this stuff existed,” Mr Boyer told the Sunday Mail.
“Schools have informed us if they’ve got it and what state it’s in. We are having the appropriate cleaners or staff come to dispose of it. The school communities are sending out communications to parents.”
Mr Boyer said the recall was a “precautionary action” based on preliminary results and more comprehensive scientific testing by the federal government was underway.
The brightly coloured “kinetic” sand was supplied by Educational Colours and sold through multiple stores including Officeworks. Batches sold from January 1, 2020 to October 31, 2025 were affected.
Oakbank School principal Lee Knight sent a letter to parents on Friday explaining the Adelaide Hills campus had been identified as one of the sites that received the same product that shut down schools across Canberra and Brisbane on Friday.
Ms Knight said the school immediately stopped using the product and “secured any potentially impacted materials”, after it was alerted to the recall by the Education Department.
“The Department for Education is working closely with SafeWork SA and specialist experts to safely identify, remove and test all recalled materials at affected schools and preschools,” Ms Knight wrote in the letter, sighted by The Advertiser.
“As a precaution, no students or staff will be permitted to access the sand or any area where it was used until it is confirmed to be safe.
“There is no indication at this time of any health impacts among students or staff related to this product at our site.”
The Education Department said they were helping to manage the removal of products as securely as possible through a licensed contractor.
“The safety of students and staff remains the department’s highest priority,” the spokesperson said.
“The risk is low and is being managed in line with national standards and expert advice from SafeWork SA.
“This approach is consistent with actions being taken in other states, including Victoria and New South Wales.”
The ACCC recalled products labelled Kadink Sand (1.3kg), Educational Colours – Rainbow Sand (1.3kg) and Creatistics – Coloured Sand (1kg) on Wednesday.
The product was sold between 2020 to 2025 by retailers Officework, Educating Kids, Modern Teaching Aids and Zart Art.
ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said one of the major product suppliers, Officeworks, has since removed the product from their shelves.
“We expect they will take all the necessary steps to alert their customers,” Ms Lowe said.
“We continue to engage with suppliers and expect all to provide appropriate support to consumers including responding to queries, and providing advice about arranging a refund.”
“We urge customers who own any of the products to stop using them immediately and place the sand in a heavy-duty plastic bag and double tape it securely and keep it out of reach of children.
The brightly coloured sand product was designed for educational purposes, manufactured by Educational Colours – who first raised the alarm with ACCC.
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Originally published as More than 100 SA schools report finding asbestos-contaminated decorative sand
