Queenslanders are being urged to safely dispose of various coloured sand products that may contain tremolite asbestos following a national recall.
Tremolite asbestos, a naturally occurring asbestos, was detected in samples of children’s coloured sand products after laboratory testing.
The recall was first issued by supplier Educational Colours.
Queensland Health advises the impacted sand products were sold in multiple stores including Officeworks, Educating Kids, Modern Teaching Aids, and Zart Art in stores across the country.
The products affected were sold between 2020 and 2025, and are listed on the Australian Competition and Consumer (ACCC) website.
The extent of the distribution of these products in Queensland is under investigation.
Based on laboratory testing done to date, Queensland Health has been advised the release of extremely fine asbestos fibres from the sand is unlikely to occur in its current state unless the sand is processed mechanically, such as by crushing or pulverising.
Chief Health Officer Dr Catherine McDougall said the risk that any asbestos found could become airborne or fine enough to inhale was low, however it was important to contain and manage these products according to advice.
“While the risk is low, our priority is the health and safety of Queenslanders, and we want to take every possible precaution,” Dr McDougall said.
“We are working in collaboration with state and national agencies responsible for the safe management of asbestos to address this issue.
“If you have any of the identified products at home, stop the use of these products, contain them and place them in double heavy-duty plastic bags and secure the bags’ opening using tape.
“Keep this product out of reach of children and store it safely until it can be disposed of appropriately.
“We are working with other agencies on a solution for safe disposal.
Further information regarding safe disposal options will be available soon. Pending this information, people seeking to dispose of the product may access disposal options including their closest disposal site.”
Images of products
Provided by ACCC.
