Asbestos contamination Prompts Coloured Sand Recall Across South australia
Adelaide, SA – A widespread asbestos contamination scare has led to the recall of coloured sand sold at over 100 sites across South australia, prompting urgent warnings for families and school closures in Canberra. the product, sold between 2020 and 2025, has raised concerns due to the potential presence of asbestos.
Sixteen public schools in Canberra are closed today, with several others partially closed, as a precautionary measure. SafeWork SA is urging staff and families to “be on the lookout” for the affected products.
“As I understand from the national reports, the risk is low, but any exposure is not good, and of course the education department and SafeWork SA will be working very hard to remove all of this product,” a spokesperson stated. “If people have concerns, they should contact their local school.”
Consumer and Business Services’ product safety regulators are working with retailers to halt sales in SA. SafeWork SA has issued a safety alert outlining steps for those who may have purchased the sand.
According to the alert,loose sand should prompt immediate evacuation of the area and contact with a licensed asbestos removalist. Sand still in its original packaging should be sealed in a heavy-duty plastic bag, double-taped, and isolated before contacting a removalist.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has confirmed that “respiratory asbestos” has not been detected in tested samples.
“The release of respiratory asbestos fibres from the sand is unlikely to occur in its current state, unless the sand is processed by mechanical means such as crushing or pulverising,” the ACCC said. “While the risk that any asbestos found is likely to be airborne or fine enough for inhalation is low, this may still pose a risk.”
