‘Don’t panic’: Experts explain the risks around asbestos sand saga in Australian schools

Can this coloured sand be deadly? As schools are closed amid a nationwide recall, we explain the risks if your kids have been exposed to play sand containing asbestos.

Schools and childcare centres across the country have either shut or sent out alerts after trace amounts of asbestos in children’s play sand products sparked a nationwide alert.

The rapid response by education departments, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and various work safety agencies has been a whirlwind since Wednesday.

Many parents are asking themselves, what are the risks and what should I do?

What do we know so far?

Last Wednesday, the ACCC issued a recall for a number of decorative sand products commonly used by children for arts and crafts.

The initial recall related to Educational Colours products sold by various vendors between January 2020 and November 2025.

The watchdog warned the products may contain the harmful mineral asbestos.

One of the products recalled by the ACCC for asbestos concerns.

By Friday, the ACT closed 16 schools and six preschools due to the risk of these products.

Education settings in South Australia, Queensland, Northern Territory, Victoria and Western Australia confirmed on Monday they were investigating whether the products were in their schools, or had initiated clean-ups.

Specialist cleaners remove materials believed to be the coloured play sand feared to contain asbestos particles at Aldgate Primary School in the Adelaide Hills. Picture: Emma Brasier

But no further large-scale school closures were announced.

The ACCC also recalled Kadink Sand and Magic Sand (Kmart) as it may contain asbestos.

How dangerous is tainted sand?

Toxicologist and senior lecturer of pharmacology at University of Adelaide, Dr Ian Musgrave said the incident is alarming, but the risk for children is very low.

“My message to parents is do not panic, as the risk is very low,” Dr Musgrave said.

“But you should always take precautions when dealing with asbestos, so I believe this response is made with an abundance of caution.”

Dr Ian Musgrave advised parents not to panic.

Dr Musgrave said tests so far had detected trace amounts of two types of asbestos: chrysotile and tremolite.

“While less hazardous than blue asbestos, the infamous asbestos at Wittenoom, all types of asbestos can cause mesothelioma (a rare lung cancer) and asbestosis (interstitial pulmonary fibrosis),” he said.

“Tremolite, the predominant form found in these play sands, in particular, is rarely used industrially, but can be found in minerals like talc or vermiculite.

“Chrysotile, also known as white asbestos, was also detected and is more hazardous than tremolite.”

Unsealed products have been found in a number of schools and childcare settings across the country.

Dr Musgrave said the main risk of developing asbestos-related diseases is through inhalation of the asbestos fibres.

“The risk of asbestos-induced disease depends on the duration of exposure and the amount of inhaled fibres,” he said.

“Typically, years of industrial exposure to fibres are associated with health risks.

“Light, short-term exposure rarely causes disease and one-off exposure is not a major risk.

“So the main risk is if the fibres have lofted in the air and inhaled.

“Due to the nature of these products, the risk of that is very low.”

What should parents do?

College of Fellows of the Australian Institute of Health and Safety chairman and University of Adelaide public health lecturer Professor Dino Pisaniello said it was understandable parents were worried.

However, he said they do not need to seek medical advice if their child may have been exposed.

“You don’t need to go to a GP or hospital in this situation as the risk is so low,” Prof Pisaniello said.

Schools have already engaged professionals to remove the potentially harmful product. Picture: Emma Brasier

“Obviously parents do worry about the potential risk to their children.

“But it’s important to remember the exposure is not likely to be significant in this case.

“The main message is to avoid the exposure and keep listening to the advice of health and education departments.

“If you have the product in your home, wear a mask and gloves and double bag the product and call a professional to dispose of it.”

What is kinetic sand?

What the Australian government’s recall advice calls “imported coloured/kinetic sand products” is designed for children to play with both at home and in educational settings.

The brightly coloured product is tactile and sticky so individual grains aren’t spread across a surface.

It has been revealed that several brands such as Kadink Sand, Educational Colours – Rainbow Sand and Creatistics – Coloured Sand, contain asbestos.

These products were recalled after it was found they may contain tremolite asbestos which is naturally occurring.

Spin Master KINETIC SAND – which claims to own the trademark over the phrase “kinetic sand” – said its products were not affected by the recall and said its products have been rigorously tested and remain safe to use.

Which stores stock the affected sand?

The products were sold at more than 80 retailers nationwide including Officeworks, Kmart and Target.

The affected items, now pulled from shelves, were available to the general public.

The product is originally manufactured in and imported from China.

It has been prohibited to import asbestos in Australia since 2003.

Originally published as ‘Don’t panic’: Experts explain the risks around asbestos sand saga in Australian schools