The recent discovery of asbestos in Kadink Sand products has raised alarms across South Australia, leading to recalls and the closure of numerous schools. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has just affirmed a major conclusion. Kadink Sand, which is produced in China and brought in by local distributors, has been found at over 100 sites in the tri-state area. When laboratory tests found traces of two types of naturally occurring asbestos — tremolite and actinolite — concerned city, state and federal authorities took immediate action.
The recall affects more than 80 retailers who sold Kadink Sand products. This even includes household name chains like Target and Kmart. These retailers have taken specific harmful products off their shelves. This includes a colorful 14-piece Sand Castle Building Set and three varieties of Kmart’s Anko brand of Magic Sand. The ACCC’s notice serves as an indelible reminder to use care with the affected products. These products were originally manufactured in China, then imported and sold by local suppliers to regional and national retailers.
University of Sydney experts have provided perspective on the unfolding crisis. They warn that the manufacturing process used to create Kadink Sand may be the cause of the asbestos contamination. As Brian Oliver of A.B. However, he continued, this process can cause asbestos to be present in the raw materials used. This leaves consumers wondering how safe the other similar products are.
In light of these discoveries, state and federal officials moved swiftly. They shuttered 71 schools down in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) due to the known danger posed by Kadink Sand. Terminal sands tested positive for asbestos in laboratory testing. In response, police closed down 15 schools in the ACT and one school in Brisbane. About three dozen schools were listed as having “non-bonded” Kadink Sand located somewhere on their property.
For all these notable steps taken, early evaluations suggest that the danger presented by Kadink Sand products is minimal. Most importantly, none of the products tested have contained crocidolite, an extremely hazardous form of asbestos.
Local government leaders agree that safety should be top priority in closing these gaps. Yvette Berry, a representative for ACT health and safety, stated that while current advice suggests a low risk, “the ACT has strong work health and safety laws, and we are required to eliminate risk as much as reasonably practicable.” She further expressed concerns regarding the prevalence of these sand products in schools, highlighting that “unfortunately, these sand products are even more widely used in our schools than the Officeworks products.”
The widespread contamination of consumer products with asbestos is especially shocking. Like many products that are known to be harmful, asbestos has been banned from use in Australia since late 2003. Asbestos is a highly toxic mineral that is composed of millions of microscopic fibers. If inhaled long-term, these fibers can cause acute, even fatal diseases. The Australian community will have to stay tuned and keep the pressure on because investigations are still ongoing into the safety of Kadink Sand and similar products.
The authorities are advising parents and guardians to stay vigilant and have proper knowledge about these developments. The current crisis underscores the need for robust quality control standards for imported products to protect American consumers.
