Some Canterbury primary schools close following concerns about asbestos found in sand products

Some Canterbury primary schools have closed today following growing concern about asbestos found in certain kinetic sand products used in classrooms.

The Ministry of Education has confirmed it has been working with schools and early learning services throughout the weekend after the issue emerged on Saturday.

Sean Teddy, Hautū Operations and Integration, said parents and caregivers who are worried about possible exposure should contact Healthline for advice.

He said the ministry sent special bulletins to schools and early learning services on Saturday afternoon, followed by a further alert on Sunday to ensure all sites had the latest guidance.

Teddy said the ministry was working closely with MBIE and WorkSafe to support schools and early learning services with testing, remediation and decisions about whether to close.

“As of 2.00PM Sunday, we had received queries from approximately 150 schools and 90 early learning services. We will be able to provide more information on the numbers later this afternoon,” he said.

Several Canterbury primary schools confirmed today they had closed as a precaution while professional testing takes place.

Additional products found with asbestos

Further to Wednesday’s special bulletin, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has confirmed that, following independent testing commissioned by Faculty of Asbestos Management of Australia and New Zealand, four additional products, sold at Kmart New Zealand, have tested positive for asbestos.

School Bulletin 12 November

These products are not part of the original recall of EC Rainbow Sand and Creatistics Coloured Sand, but they pose the same potential health risk.

The additional products are:

14-piece Sand Castle Building Set (Batch no: 42975724)
Blue Magic Sand (Batch no: 42304364)
Green Magic Sand (Batch no: 432919650)
Pink Magic Sand (Batch no: 42304371).

MBIE advice remains clear: Stop using these products immediately, secure them and dispose them safely.

We urge schools and early learning services who have purchased these products to stop using them immediately, secure them safely, and contact your local council for advice on where and how to dispose of the contaminated material safely.
Where you have higher volumes of these products, you should contact a licensed asbestos assessor or removalist for immediate advice and support on your specific situation.

Asbestos assessor license holders register – WorkSafe

Asbestos removal licence holders – WorkSafe

At this stage, we do not have enough information to quantify the risk to people’s health, which is why we are taking a precautionary approach.

Asbestos exposure is a serious health hazard.

People are not required to take any immediate steps to manage their health if they, or their children, have been exposed to this product. However, asbestos exposure can potentially affect your long-term health.

We are coordinating closely with other agencies to provide updated advice to you.

WorkSafe advice for schools and early learning services

If the sand is in a sealed container, move it to a secure location away from people.
If individuals are currently using the sand, they should put it down and relocate to a sand-free, well-ventilated area. Instruct everyone to leave the area, block it off and make sure it is not accessible.
Do not vacuum or sweep floors where there is sand or attempt to clean it up. Contact a licensed asbestos assessor or removalist for immediate advice and support on your specific situation. Details of Class A licensed removalists are available on the WorkSafe website.
Do not return to the affected area until the extent of contamination is established, and after the area is remediated by an expert.
If you have identified that the sand has been used at your school or early learning site, please notify us.
MBIE is working with the supplier to ensure the products are tested to confirm if asbestos contamination has occurred.