Close to Seventy Schools to Close in Australia Over Fears of Asbestos in Children's Sand
A total of 69 learning centers in the ACT region are set to close on the start of the week following colored play sand was withdrawn because of asbestos risk, the government has said.
A recall for the products after tests revealed traces of asbestos in some samples came from two major retailers on Saturday.
Consumer watchdogs said there was a minimal possibility that the cancer-causing material could turn into dust or small enough to breathe in.
School checks are currently happening and could require a few days, explained the territory’s education head in an online update. She added that air testing has returned clear of asbestos fibers from each campus.
This follows multiple educational facilities in the territory were fully or partially closed on Friday, following an alert over asbestos dangers in children's sand distributed by a different store.
“Unfortunately, these sand products are more commonly utilized in our schools than other similar goods,” said Berry.
State Emergency Service volunteers and faculty members have been checking premises and “mapping all coloured sand they see” during the past few days, the report continued.
Territory officials announced that individuals exposed to the sand do not need a health evaluation.
Officials explained although the danger is small, the government is “required to eliminate risk as much as reasonably practicable”.
About 23 institutions are staying open as they either have “small stocks” of the product or are completely free of the product.
The recalled goods listed in the official recall are labelled as a play set with sand, and Blue, Green and Pink Magic Sand.
The hazardous material, historically utilized in building materials, can disperse dangerous fibers into the air if broken down or manipulated that can stick in lung tissue and - after many years - result in cancerous growths.
The trade of asbestos or goods containing asbestos is prohibited under Australian law.
