More than 70 public schools in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) were closed on Monday after the consumer regulator recalled several children's sand products due to potential asbestos contamination. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) issued recalls for products sold at major retailers including Officeworks, Kmart, and Target.
The ACCC announced on Sunday that laboratory testing had detected asbestos in some samples of children's sand sold at Kmart and Target, leading to further school closures in Tasmania and New Zealand. The recalls affect a range of play sand products, prompting authorities to shut schools as a precautionary measure.
Despite the widespread closures, the consumer watchdog has stated that the risk to children is low. The ACCC continues to investigate the source of the contamination and has urged retailers to remove affected products from shelves. Parents are advised to check product recalls and avoid using any sand that may be affected.
