GLOBAL - A significant public health scare unfolded in Australia on Monday, 17 November 2025, after more than 70 public schools in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) were forced to close due to the discovery of asbestos in coloured play sand used by children. The closures highlight a growing international concern over the safety of consumer goods, particularly those intended for children, and the integrity of global supply chains.

The immediate trigger for the closures was a product recall notice issued on Sunday, 16 November, by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), the country's consumer watchdog. Laboratory testing had detected asbestos in some samples of coloured sand products sold at major retailers Kmart and Target. The ACT education directorate described the use of these products as “widespread” across its schools, prompting the decision to shut down facilities for assessment and cleaning.

This was the second major recall of children's sand products in a week. On Wednesday, 12 November, the ACCC recalled another range of sand products from suppliers Shamrock Australia and Educational Colours, which were sold at retailers including Officeworks and Woolworths. That initial recall led to the closure of more than a dozen schools in the ACT and at least one in Brisbane.

Scope of the Recall and Assessed Health Risks

The latest recall involves Kmart Australia's 'Active Sandtub 14 piece Sand Castle Building Set' and 'Magic Sand' tubs in various colours. The earlier recall included products such as 'Kadink Sand', 'Educational Colours Rainbow Sand', and 'Creatistics Coloured Sand'. All the contaminated products were reportedly manufactured in China.

Health authorities have assessed the immediate risk to children as "low." The ACCC stated that respirable (airborne) asbestos fibres were not detected in the tested samples and are unlikely to be released unless the sand is crushed or pulverised. However, asbestos is a known carcinogen, and there is no safe level of exposure. Long-term health risks associated with asbestos inhalation include mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. Children are considered more vulnerable due to the long latency period of these diseases.

The types of asbestos detected include tremolite and chrysotile. While not the most dangerous form, blue asbestos, all types are considered hazardous. The contamination is suspected to have occurred during the manufacturing process, potentially if the sand was produced by crushing rocks from a source containing the naturally occurring mineral.

Official Response and Global Implications

The response from Australian authorities has been precautionary. The ACT government established a public hotline and began a comprehensive audit of all public schools. In New South Wales, a safety alert was issued to all public schools to immediately remove the products, though no closures were reported there. The scare has also had international repercussions, with multiple schools in New Zealand closing for testing after using the Kmart sand products.

For Kenya, this incident serves as a critical reminder of the importance of stringent import regulations and market surveillance. While the specific retailers Kmart and Target do not have a direct presence in Kenya, the case underscores the global nature of supply chains for consumer goods. The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) is responsible for ensuring imported products meet safety standards through its Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) program. KEBS has regulations concerning asbestos, primarily focused on building materials, and guidelines for its safe disposal are managed by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA). This event in Australia may prompt a review of testing protocols for imported children's toys and materials to prevent similar occurrences locally.

Consumers in Australia have been advised to stop using the recalled products immediately and follow strict safety guidelines for disposal, including wearing protective gear and taking the items to an authorised facility. The ACCC has confirmed that the recall is a precautionary action based on preliminary results, with more comprehensive scientific testing underway.