Department of Education confirm recalled sand products used in hundreds of Victorian schools and childcare centres

A saga involving potentially dangerous sand, which led to the closure of dozens of schools interstate, has hit 300 government schools and more than 600 early childhood services in Victoria.

Hundreds of Victorian schools and childcare centres could be in possession of coloured sand that may contain asbestos.

The Department of Education confirmed about 300 state schools and more than 600 early childhood services may have been using the recalled products as of midday on Monday.

But a spokesman said they did not need to be shut down as the health risk was low.

The colourful sand products may contain asbestos. Picture: ACCC

“Advice from national and Victorian health authorities, including the Department of Health, WorkSafe and the ACCC is the health risk from use of these products is low,” he said.

“As such, there is no advice to close schools or early childhood services at this time.”

The spokesman said the department was continuing to identify whether any further schools or childcare centres had purchased or used the sand.

“Schools have been provided with updated guidance, including safe-handling instructions,” he said.

“Government schools have also been provided details of how to report products to be collected for disposal.”

It is unclear what exact schools and centres across the state were affected.

Last week, the ACCC recalled Kadink Sand (1.3kg), Educational Colours – Rainbow Sand (1.3kg) and Creatistics – Coloured Sand (1kg) by supplier Education Colours.

Kmart and Target then issued a recall for four other products including 14-piece Sand Castle Building Set (Batch no: 42975724), Pink Magic Sand (Batch no: 42304371), Blue Magic Sand (Batch no: 42304364) and Green Magic Sand (Batch no: 432919650).

The ACCC said the products were recalled as they may contain tremolite asbestos, a naturally occurring asbestos, which was detected in some samples after lab testing.

It comes as dozens of schools in the ACT, Tasmania and South Australia remained closed on Tuesday.

Licensed asbestos removalists decked in hazmat suits were spotted cleaning up and disposing of the products in schools across Canberra.

Dozens of schools across Australia have been closed due to the sand. Picture: Martin Ollman

ACT Education Minister Yvette Berry said the state’s laws around asbestos removal were “the most rigorous in the country”.

“I know it’s a small risk, however under the work, health and safety regulations we are required to eliminate the risk as far as reasonably practicable and that’s what we are doing,” she said.

Asbestos Disease Society of Australia chief executive Melita Markey said Victoria should be following ACT’s approach.

“I think (ACT) takes the most care and responsibility for our children,” she said.

“It’s a very individual situation as we don’t know how long they’ve had the sand, how long they were using it for.

“Our regulations are such that we need to go in, remove the problem and then de-containment properly.”

ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said she expected suppliers to provide “appropriate support” to customers.

“We have engaged with Officeworks who is a major supplier of these products and they advised that the products have been removed from sale,” she said.

“We expect they will take all the necessary steps to alert their customers.

“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.”

Ms Lowe urged customers to stop using the sand immediately.

“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,” she said.

“When doing so, in an abundance of caution, customers should take precautions such as wearing disposable gloves and a mask.”

Originally published as Department of Education confirm recalled sand products used in hundreds of Victorian schools and childcare centres