Colourful children’s sand sold by Officeworks recalled amid asbestos fears | Health

A range of colorful children’s litter products imported from China and sold at leading Australian retailers have been recalled over concerns they may contain asbestos.

The Australian Consumer Competition Commission (ACCC) said brightly colored sand designed for children to play in was recalled because the products may contain tremolite asbestos.

The ACCC announced on Wednesday the recall of 1.3kg versions of Kadink Sand (1.3kg) and Educational Colors – Rainbow Sand, as well as 1kg packs of Creatistics – Colored Sand products.

Officeworks also recalled KD Plain Sand (1.3 kg), KD Magic Sand (2 kg) and Kadink six-part decorative sand in natural and purple colors.

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Officeworks said the products were made in China and almost entirely supplied by art supplies company Educational Colours, except for Kadink decorative sand, which was supplied by local wholesaler Shamrock Australia.

The retailer said the products were recalled after Officeworks commissioned an accredited laboratory to test “various” Kadink sand products supplied by Educational Colours, which detected the presence of “microscopic” asbestos fibres.

Asbestos, a dangerous substance that can cause fatal diseases and has been banned in Australia since 2003, is not allowed to be imported except in very limited cases.

In response to the results, Officeworks said it had conducted an independent risk assessment, which found there were “no identifiable safety hazards” associated with the products.

However, Officeworks said Educational Colors had voluntarily recalled the products “purely as a precautionary measure” and had also initiated its own recall of the sand product supplied to Shamrock Australia.

The products were also sold across Australia between 2020 and 2025 by other retailers including Educating Kids, Modern Teaching Aids and Zart Art, the ACCC said.

The regulator and Officeworks declined to comment on when the products were tested and whether this was because a parent raised the alarm.

ACCC deputy chief executive Catriona Lowe said customers who owned any of the products should stop using them immediately. Sand should be placed in a durable plastic bag, double-taped tightly with tape, and kept away from children.

“Customers should be very careful when doing this and take precautions such as wearing disposable gloves and a mask,” Lowe said.

“We continue to engage with suppliers and expect everyone to provide appropriate support to consumers, including responding to questions and advising on arranging refunds.”

Associate Professor Anthony Linton, from the Asbestos and Dust Disease Research Institute, said parents whose children come into contact with the recalled products should know they are unlikely to be harmed.

“We can be reassured that the risk will probably be low, but it reinforces the danger and why these things need to be tested,” he said.

“It’s very difficult because there’s no test you can do for future asbestos-related diseases, but they can also get advice from their local doctor.”

He said about 4,500 Australians died each year from asbestos-related diseases and there was no safe level of exposure for anyone.

The Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency declined to comment on the details of its current testing regime.

Australian Asbestos Disease Foundation chief executive Barry Robson said it was “worrying but not surprising” that these products were escaping through the cracks.

“All imports must be tested to see if they contain any form of asbestos,” he said.

Guardian Australia has contacted the Australian Border Force for comment.