NAIROBI – An urgent recall of multiple brands of coloured play sand in New Zealand and Australia, following the discovery of asbestos, has triggered school closures and raised significant public health concerns, prompting an investigation into the safety of similar imported products available to Kenyan consumers.

The recall, initiated last week, expanded over the weekend after testing commissioned by the Faculty of Asbestos Management of Australia and New Zealand identified tremolite asbestos in several products sold by major retailer Kmart. According to New Zealand's Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), the affected products include the '14-piece Sandcastle Building Set' and 'Magic Sand' sets in blue, green, and pink. This is in addition to previously recalled products, 'EC Rainbow Sand' and 'Creatistics Coloured Sand'. The sand, manufactured in China, was sold by over 80 retailers in Australia, including Kmart, Target, and Officeworks.

While the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) stated that the risk of asbestos fibres becoming airborne and being inhaled is low unless the sand is crushed, officials in both nations have advised consumers and schools to immediately stop using the products. They have issued strict guidelines for its safe disposal, recommending sealing the sand in a double-bagged container and contacting local councils, explicitly warning against disposal in household rubbish.

IMPLICATIONS FOR KENYA

The critical question for Kenyan parents and regulators is whether these contaminated products have reached the local market. An investigation by Streamline News has confirmed that products from Kmart's private-label brand, Anko, which includes the recalled 'Magic Sand', are available for purchase in Kenya through various online platforms. Furthermore, a local retailer, Anko Retail, operates in Nairobi, stocking a range of Anko products, although it is not officially affiliated with Kmart Australia. It remains unclear if the specific contaminated batches are or were available in Kenya. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REQUIRED.

The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), the statutory body responsible for enforcing product safety standards for imports, requires that imported toys conform to its regulations. All regulated products must be tested and certified before being allowed into the country under the Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) program or face destination inspection. Goods failing to meet Kenyan standards are to be rejected and destroyed at the importer's expense. KEBS also mandates that importers have a documented product recall procedure. Streamline News has reached out to KEBS for comment on whether the recalled sand products were specifically tested for asbestos and what measures are being taken to ensure they do not enter the Kenyan market, but had not received a response by the time of publication.

HEALTH RISKS AND REGULATORY CONTEXT

Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous silicate mineral that is a known human carcinogen. Inhalation of its fibres can cause serious and fatal diseases, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis, often after a long latency period. The type found in the sand, tremolite, is known to increase these risks even with chronic low-level exposure.

In Kenya, asbestos is classified as a hazardous waste under the Environmental Management and Coordination (Waste Management) Regulations of 2006, the same year its use in construction was banned. The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) oversees its safe handling and disposal. In March 2025, the Kenyan government approved a nationwide directive mandating the removal of asbestos from all buildings, with property owners bearing the cost under the 'Polluter Pays' principle.

The discovery of asbestos in children's toys highlights potential gaps in global supply chain monitoring and underscores the responsibility of national regulatory bodies like KEBS to safeguard public health. As New Zealand and Australian authorities continue to test similar products, Kenyan consumers who may have purchased these items online are advised to exercise extreme caution.

Consumer Advice:

• Immediately stop using any of the recalled products.
• Do not let children touch or play with the sand.
• Place the sand in a sealed container, then double-bag it in thick plastic, seal it with tape, and label it clearly as potentially asbestos-contaminated.
• Do not dispose of it in regular household waste or use a vacuum cleaner for cleanup.
• Contact NEMA or your local county government for guidance on safe disposal procedures for hazardous materials.