Coloured unicorn sand toy sold at Kmart and Target recalled over asbestos risk

A children’s toy sold at Kmart and Target stores has been recalled after laboratory tests detected asbestos in the sand used in the product.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commissioner (ACCC) has warned people to stop using this craft product immediately because the loose colored sand in Make Your Own Unicorn Sand Ornaments may contain asbestos.

“The product is being recalled because the sand may contain asbestos, which is a banned substance in Australia,” the warning said.

“The products may pose a health risk, as asbestos was detected in some samples in laboratory tests.”

“Importantly, no respirable asbestos was detected in any of the samples tested.”

An ACCC spokesman said the current release of respirable asbestos fibers was unlikely to occur unless the sand was processed by mechanical means such as crushing or pulverising.

“There is a low risk that any asbestos found will remain airborne or be fine enough to be inhaled,” a spokesman said.

Consumers are told to return the item to Kmart or Target for a full refund.

This comes after many other colored sand products were suspected to contain asbestos, with hundreds of schools across the country affected.

Dozens of state schools in the ACT have temporarily closed their doors and an independent school in Queensland was forced to close as a cleaning crew removed toxic material.

More than 40 schools in Tasmania are also affected by the recall.