Schools close in New Zealand after play sand recalled over asbestos fears | New Zealand
Scores of schools in New Zealand have been temporarily closed and hundreds of education facilities are seeking advice from authorities after asbestos was detected in several commonly used brands of colored play sand.
Last week the Department for Business, Innovation and Employment confirmed a statement. Voluntary recall is ongoing For two brands of colored sand sold in New Zealand testing in australia Asbestos was found in similar products.
The recall was expanded on Saturday after Australian and New Zealand asbestos management faculty detected tremolite asbestos in four additional sand products sold at major retailer Kmart – a 14-piece sand castle building set and blue, green and pink Magic Sand sets.
“Testing of a number of similar products is ongoing, so we cannot say for sure at this point whether this is the only product that has been contaminated,” the ministry’s product safety spokesman Ian Caplin said on Saturday.
The Guardian has contacted Kmart for comment.
Tremolite asbestos is a naturally occurring form of asbestos. Australia’s competition and consumer commission said no respirable asbestos was detected in its samples and a release of fibers was unlikely unless the sand was crushed or pulverized.
“There is a low risk that any asbestos found will remain airborne or be fine enough to be inhaled,” he said.
But authorities in both Australia and New Zealand have advised training providers and people bringing in products to immediately stop using sand and follow guidelines on how to dispose of sand safely.
New Zealand’s Ministry of Education said 150 schools and 90 early childhood centers had received advice from authorities as of Sunday.
The ministry could not yet confirm how many schools and kindergartens were closed on Monday, but several schools warned their communities of the closures on websites and in posts on social media.
Clearview primary school in Rolleston in the South Island told parents the school would be closed for up to three days “out of an abundance of caution”. The classrooms will be professionally tested for asbestos, the school said.
Tuia Burnside Primary School in Christchurch will also close on Monday.
“While the risk to our staff and students is considered very low, WorkSafe has advised us to close tomorrow as a precaution so that we can complete testing and ensure all learning spaces are safe,” he said in a post on Facebook.
Education department spokesman Sean Teddy said parents and carers would understandably be concerned about the presence of asbestos.
“We encourage people to contact Healthline regarding any health concerns they may have regarding their children who may have come into contact with these products,” Teddy said.
Following the warning, more than seventy public schools and kindergartens closed in the Australian Capital Territory.
