The alarming discovery of asbestos traces in Kadink Sand products has led to a significant recall and closure of schools across Australia. More than 100 sites in South Australia have already been identified as places these products are sold. This unprecedented event is causing great concern among parents and educators about keeping our children safe in schools and everywhere else.
Kadink Sand, produced in China, was purchased by most local carry-in suppliers and distributed to over 80 retailing backyards around the state. However, subsequent laboratory testing detected harmful levels of two forms of naturally occurring asbestos in the sand products. This finding led large retailers such as Target and Kmart to act quickly to avoid similar results. These retailers recalled an assortment of colorful 14-piece Sand Castle Building Set. They recalled three colors of Kmart’s Anko product, called Magic Sand, in blue, green, and pink.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has officially recalled Kadink Sand products. Customers purchased these products at their local retailers such as Officeworks. Based on these preliminary assessments, FDA has concluded that the overall risk these products pose to human health is minimal. Of course, the existence of asbestos is understandably alarming. This mineral made up of tiny fibers, whose use is linked to serious health issues, has been banned in Australia since late 2003.
The University of Sydney’s Brian Oliver warned about unintended consequences. If Kadink Sand is made from crushed rocks, the original material could very well have included asbestos. This worry is the basis for the impressive outcry and concern surrounding the use of these manufactured sand products, particularly within environments visited by children.
In response to these identified threats, all seventy-one schools in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) were shut down. This closure came after extensive laboratory tests certified the presence of asbestos in multiple Kadink Sand products. Significantly, 15 schools from the ACT, as well as one Brisbane school, were affected. Follow-up inspections found that at least 20 schools stored ‘free-flowing’ Kadink Sand on their grounds.
“Unfortunately, these sand products are even more widely used in our schools than the Officeworks products,” – Yvette Berry
In the ACT, authorities have made a big point about safety regulations being in place. One unnamed official stated, “The ACT has strong work health and safety laws, and we are required to eliminate risk as much as reasonably practicable.” Their reassurance comes at a time when public fear is alarmingly increasing over possible health effects associated with asbestos exposure.
Today, health officials are working to reduce the anxiety that is accompanying this situation. Based on this, they confidently proclaim that all guidance suggests “the risk is low.” This statement is meant both to calm apprehension among parents and educators and to recognize that the findings are indeed grave.
