Three early childhood centres closed by asbestos sand but NT Gov said health risk ‘low’

Three early learning centres have closed and seven schools have altered their programs as authorities tackle an asbestos-tainted play sand crisis but said the health risk is ‘low’. Read more.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission issued a nationwide recall on Kadink Decorative Sand after it was found to contain traces of chrysotile asbestos.

Despite coloured play sand containing asbestos being found in a total of 82 schools in the Territory, professionals say the health risk is “low”.

The Northern Territory Government said only three early learning centres were closed on Monday to allow for cleaning.

Another seven government schools implemented alternative learning programs to work around disposal and cleaning of the product.

Despite the widespread presence of the problematic product, the NT Department of Education and Training said air testing carried out at 10 schools returned “clear results”.

“The Northern Territory Government is reassuring Territorians that all NT government schools remain open, with no school closures required, following the national recall of several children’s coloured sand products,” a spokesperson stated.

Schools and early learning centres across Australia are being urgently cleaned and classrooms decontaminated. Picture: Facebook

“Air testing undertaken at 10 school sites has returned clear results, with no airborne or respirable asbestos detected.

“The risk to human health remains low.”

The update comes after NT schools and centres were impacted by a national recall from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission on three brands of coloured play sand found to contain asbestos.

The products, Kadink Sand (1.3kg), Educational Colours – Rainbow Sand (1.3kg) and Creatistics – Coloured Sand (1kg), were recalled because it was found they may contain tremolite asbestos, a naturally occurring asbestos.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission issued a nationwide recall on Kadink Decorative Sand after it was found to contain traces of chrysotile asbestos.

It is a product sold across shelves at Officeworks, Woolworths and other craft and educational supply stores and used for sensory play and crafts.

The recall involved batches from January 1, 2020 to October 31, 2025.

A total of 67 Territory schools found coloured sand on their premises

In the testing undertaken nationally and locally in the Territory it was indicated that some products may contain tremolite and/or chrysotile which are naturally occurring forms of asbestos.

However, respirable asbestos fibres have not been found in any samples. Officials stated the release of airborne fibres is “unlikely” unless the sand is “mechanically crushed or pulverised”.

NT WorkSafe executive director Grant Hastie, NT Department of Education and Training CEO Susan Bowden and Paul Van Holsteyn as at least 41 NT schools have been impacted by a national recall on play sand found to contain asbestos. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

On Friday, November 14, NT educational officials launched an urgent classroom clean-up estimating it would impact at least 41 schools.

This total reached 82 on Monday after 40 government schools reported having sealed product requiring professional disposal.

Another 42 schools found unsealed coloured sand in classrooms and require professional cleaning.

The NT Government said some of these schools have students working in alternate learning spaces and impacted rooms have been contained.

They will reopen once cleaning has been carried out by approved contractors with the government prioritising schools experiencing the highest level of impact.

Marrara Christian College Early Learning Centre, Marrara Christian College Early Learning Centre and Our Holy Spirit Early Learning Centre, Casuarina, closed on Monday, November 17, to allow for spaces to be properly cleaned.

Nightcliff Primary School, Girraween Primary School, Humpty Doo Primary School and Driver Primary School, Woodroffe Primary School, Amoonguna School and Katherine South Primary School implemented alternative learning programs.

No need for clinical assessment at this stage

The NT Department of Education and Training said they will continue to act under the guidance of licensed asbestos contractors and NT WorkSafe who said the risk is low and provide advice and support for school and ECEC services.

There are no notified closures of any schools in the Territory as a result of the recall unlike some states.

Acting chief health officer, Vicki Krause, said the recall was a precautionary action and those who have come into contact with the product should not need a medical assessment.

Some schools in other states have had to remain closed due to the urgent clean-up and recall. Picture: Facebook

“Based on the current available information, the health risk is low,” she said.

“At this stage, there is no need for those who may have been in contact with this product to undertake a clinical assessment.

“Further comprehensive scientific testing is being undertaken at a national level and once we have these results, we will be able to update the assessment of risk and provide updated health advice if required.

“In the meantime, Territorians are asked to stop using any of the coloured sand products and dispose of them appropriately.”

For updated advice on recall information, go to the NT WorkSafe website.

Customers were urged not to dispose of the product in general waste, and instead find a local asbestos disposal facility at The Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency website.