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Here’s the essential information you need to know.
Last week, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) initiated a recall for several colored sand products. This action was taken after concerns arose about their safety. Source: Supplied / Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
The recall was prompted by independent testing conducted by the Faculty of Asbestos Management of Australia and New Zealand, which flagged potential issues with these products.
Fortunately, the testing did not reveal the presence of crocidolite, a type of blue asbestos known to be the most dangerous among its six varieties.
How did asbestos get into these products?
While Officeworks, Kmart and Target were the most prominent stores that sold the products, more than 80 retailers stocked at least one of the affected products.
More than 80 retailers stocked at least one of the affected products. Source: Supplied / ACCC
It’s unclear how the sand was contaminated. In an article for The Conversation last week, the University of Sydney’s Brian Oliver wrote that if the sand was manufactured by crushing rocks, then it’s possible asbestos could have been in the source product.
Have the products been identified in other states and territories?
Other states and territories have also issued alerts advising schools, customers and service providers to stop using the sand products, but no more schools appear to have been closed as a result.
How high is the risk?
The release of respiratory asbestos fibres from the sand was unlikely to occur in the products’ current state — unless the sand was crushed or pulverised by mechanical means.
“However, the ACT has strong work health and safety laws, and we are required to eliminate risk as much as reasonably practicable.”
