Australian Capital Territory Closes 69 Schools Amid Asbestos Risk in Children’s Sand

Authorities in the Australian Capital Territory announced the closure of 69 schools on Monday following the recall of coloured play sand contaminated with asbestos traces. Retailers Kmart and Target issued the urgent recall on Saturday after laboratory tests confirmed the presence of the hazardous material in certain batches.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission assessed the inhalation risk as low, noting that asbestos fibers in the sand are unlikely to become airborne. Education Minister Yvette Berry reported that preliminary air quality tests across affected schools yielded negative results for airborne asbestos, with comprehensive inspections ongoing throughout the weekend.

State Emergency Service personnel and school employees conducted systematic surveys to identify and map all instances of the recalled sand within educational facilities. Berry acknowledged that these products, including Active Sandtub sets and variously colored Magic Sand variants, are more prevalent in schools than previously recalled Officeworks items, necessitating broader precautionary measures.

Also Read: Australia, Indonesia Finalize Landmark Security Treaty to Deepen Defense Cooperation

Despite the minimal health threat, the government emphasized its obligation to mitigate risks to the greatest extent feasible, leading to the temporary shutdown. No clinical evaluations are required for individuals who handled the sand, and up to 23 institutions will continue operations due to limited or absent stocks of the implicated materials.

Asbestos, banned from import and export in Australia, poses long-term cancer risks when disturbed fibers are inhaled. The incident underscores ongoing challenges in ensuring consumer product safety, particularly items intended for children's use in educational settings.

Also Read: From Silent Spinner To India’s Backbone: Deepti Sharma Seeks Redemption Glory