Global Safety Alert

A significant public safety alert unfolded in Australia this week, leading to the closure of numerous schools and preschools after asbestos was detected in several popular brands of children's coloured sand. The contaminated products, imported from China, are used for sensory play and arts and crafts in educational settings and homes. The discovery has triggered a nationwide recall and sparked serious concerns among parents and educators, prompting an immediate investigation into the supply chain of these seemingly harmless play materials.

On Wednesday, November 12, 2025, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) issued a formal recall for multiple products. These include 1.3kg versions of Kadink Sand and Educational Colours’ Rainbow Sand, as well as 1kg packages of Creatistics’ Coloured Sand. The products were sold by major Australian retailers such as Officeworks, Educating Kids, Modern Teaching Aids, and Zart Art between 2020 and 2025. Laboratory testing confirmed the presence of both chrysotile and tremolite asbestos in some samples, prompting the immediate action.

Emergency School Closures

In response to the findings, authorities in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) announced on Friday, November 14, 2025, the full closure of 15 schools and six preschools to allow for urgent testing and remediation. An additional nine schools and preschools were partially closed. ACT Education Minister Yvette Berry stated the closures were a precautionary measure, emphasizing that WorkSafe ACT advised the risk of exposure was low. Concurrently, Mancel College, a special school in Brisbane, also shut down with immediate effect after discovering it had used some of the recalled sand products in both its junior and senior schools. The head of the college, Craig Duncan, informed parents that the school was acting with an "abundance of caution" despite official advice suggesting the risk was low.

Health Risks of Asbestos, Especially for Children

Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral that is a known human carcinogen. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified all forms of asbestos, including chrysotile found in the sand, as cancer-causing. Inhalation of asbestos fibres can lead to severe and often fatal diseases decades after exposure, including lung cancer, asbestosis (a scarring of the lungs), and mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer of the lining of the lungs and abdomen. There is no known safe level of exposure to asbestos.

Children are considered particularly vulnerable to the effects of asbestos. Their respiratory systems are still developing, and they have a higher breathing rate than adults, which can lead to a greater intake of fibres. Furthermore, due to their longer life expectancy, there is a greater window for asbestos-related diseases to develop, which have long latency periods. Exposure during childhood can significantly increase the lifetime risk of developing mesothelioma and other related cancers.

Implications for Kenya

The Australian recall raises critical questions for Kenyan consumers and regulatory bodies. While the specific brands—Kadink, Educational Colours, and Creatistics—do not appear to be widely sold in Kenya through major online retailers, the origin of the products from China is a significant concern. China is a major source of toys and children's products imported into Kenya and the wider East African region. The incident highlights potential gaps in import inspection and market surveillance that could allow hazardous products onto local shelves.

The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) is the primary body responsible for ensuring the safety and quality of products, including toys, sold in the country. KEBS operates a Standardization Mark for locally manufactured goods and an Import Standardization Mark to certify that imported products meet Kenyan standards. Kenya also has regulations classifying asbestos as a hazardous material. The Environmental Management and Coordination (Waste Management) Regulations of 2006, enforced by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), mandate specific protocols for the handling and disposal of asbestos-containing materials. In 2006, Kenya banned the import, manufacture, and use of asbestos, though many older buildings still contain the material.

This incident serves as an urgent call for heightened vigilance. Kenyan authorities, including KEBS and NEMA, must verify whether these or similar contaminated products have entered the local market. Parents and educational institutions are advised to exercise caution and inspect labels and origins of art supplies and toys. The Australian case underscores the global nature of supply chains and the critical need for robust, independent testing of imported goods to protect the health and safety of children. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REQUIRED to determine the extent, if any, of these products' presence in the Kenyan market.