Examples of the play sand that may contain traces of asbestos. Photo: ACCC.
Several Canberra public schools and preschools are closed today after traces of asbestos were found in a popular children’s sand product used for arts, crafts and sensory play.
The ACT Education Directorate confirmed that multiple schools will shut either fully or partially on Friday, 14 November, to allow for “testing and remediation”.
“The decision to close the schools has been made in line with Education Directorate processes and on the advice of WorkSafe ACT on the safe management and remediation process required,” the directorate said in a statement on its website.
“The safety of our students, staff and the community is our highest priority.”
The closures follow a national recall issued by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) for a range of coloured sand products that may contain asbestos.
The recall, issued by supplier Educational Colours, affects products sold between 2020 and 2025 under the names Kadink Sand (1.3kg), Educational Colours – Rainbow Sand (1.3kg) and Creatistics – Coloured Sand (1kg).
Educational Colours’ Rainbow Sand 1.3 kg has been identified as one of the products that may contain traces of asbestos. Photo: ACCC.
The products were sold through major retailers including Officeworks, Educating Kids, Modern Teaching Aids and Zart Art.
Laboratory testing detected tremolite asbestos, a prohibited naturally occurring substance, in some samples.
“We have engaged with Officeworks, who is a major supplier of these products, and they advised that the products have been removed from sale,” ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said.
“We urge customers who own any of the products to stop using them immediately and place the sand in a heavy-duty plastic bag, double tape it securely, and keep it out of reach of children.”
Ms Lowe said customers should wear disposable gloves and a mask when handling the sand, and not dispose of it in general waste. Information about safe asbestos disposal can be found on the Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency website.
Creatistics’ Coloured Sand 1 kg has also been identified as potentially containing traces of asbestos. Photo: ACCC.
In Canberra, WorkSafe ACT says the risk of exposure to traces of chrysotile asbestos in affected schools is low, but closures are necessary to allow safe testing and remediation.
“The safety of our students, staff and the community is our highest priority,” the Education Directorate said. “Closing impacted schools or spaces will allow testing and remediation to occur as soon as possible.”
Families have been contacted directly and are urged to check their emails for full details.
Full closures affect the following schools today:
- Black Mountain School
- Campbell Primary School
- Charles Weston School
- Charnwood-Dunlop Primary School
- Evatt Primary School
- Florey Primary School
- Latham Primary School
- Lyons Early Childhood School
- Malkara School
- Namadgi School.
Partial closures affect the following schools:
- Charles Conder Primary School: Preschool and Small Group Program
- North Ainslie Primary School: Preschool and Year 1
- Torrens Primary School: Preschool, Kindergarten and Year 1
- Wanniassa School: Preschool to Year 6
- Yarralumla Primary School: Montessori, Kindergarten, Year 1, Small Group Program.
The following preschools are closed:
- Chapman Primary School
- Cranleigh School
- Curtin Primary School
- Kingsford Smith School (including Koori Preschool)
- Narrabundah Early Childhood School.
The Directorate said it will continue working closely with WorkSafe ACT and licensed asbestos contractors to ensure all affected areas are safe before students return.
The ACCC urges customers “not to dispose of the project in general waste”.
For urgent enquiries, please contact the Education Directorate Feedback and Complaints team.
Families will be kept up to date by their schools about any changes to learning next week.
