Nationwide School Closures Following Asbestos Discovery
Dozens of schools across Australia and New Zealand were forced to close their doors on Monday 17th November 2025 after laboratory tests confirmed the presence of asbestos in coloured play sand products widely used in early-learning classrooms. The alarming discovery prompted immediate safety measures and a national product recall, causing significant disruption to education services.
Contaminated Products and Safety Warnings
The crisis began when an Australian safety regulator issued a national recall for sand supplied by Educational Colours. By the weekend, major retailers Kmart and Target had voluntarily withdrawn additional items, including a 14-piece Sand Castle Building Set and tubs of blue, green and pink Magic Sand, after further testing revealed contamination.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) confirmed that laboratory results had detected traces of tremolite and chrysotile asbestos in several play sand products. However, they emphasised that "the risk that any asbestos found is likely to be airborne or fine enough for inhalation is low", noting that respirable fibres had not yet been detected in tested samples.
On its website, Educational Colours Pty Ltd stated: "Independent laboratory testing of Rainbow Sand and Coloured Sand products has detected traces of naturally occurring tremolite asbestos in some samples. Experts have advised that the safety risk is negligible, but the recall has been initiated as a precautionary measure."
Widespread Impact and Official Response
The contamination has had far-reaching consequences across both nations. In the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), authorities took the drastic step of closing 71 campuses to allow specialist assessors to safely remove and dispose of the contaminated sand.
ACT Education Minister Yvette Berry defended the sweeping closures, stating: "I know it's a small risk, however under the work, health and safety regulation we are required to eliminate the risk as far as reasonably practicable and that's what we are doing."
ACT Work Health and Safety Commissioner Jacqueline Agius provided crucial context, noting that "low risk does not equate to no risk" and revealing that their testing had found chrysotile asbestos in a sample seized from a stationery store in the ACT.
Meanwhile, New Zealand faced mounting disruption with at least eight schools closing on Monday after identifying recalled Kmart products on their premises. Approximately 150 schools and early-learning centres had contacted officials over the weekend seeking guidance about the emerging safety concern.
Kmart responded proactively, stating: "At Kmart and Target, ensuring the safety of our products for our customers and team members is our number one priority. Whenever there is any potential risk associated with a product, we act swiftly and proactively."
The company has withdrawn all sand-based toys from sale and recalled four Anko branded products in both Australia and New Zealand while recommending that concerned parents contact Healthline with any health worries about children who may have come into contact with the affected products.
