Overview
- More than 300 education sites in South Australia have reported using recalled coloured or kinetic sand, with site‑by‑site removals and cleaning continuing in the ACT, Tasmania and other jurisdictions.
- The ACCC’s national recall remains in force for products sold at major retailers after tests detected tremolite and chrysotile asbestos in some samples, though regulators say respirable fibres have not been found and the immediate risk is low.
- Parents and schools report inconsistent disposal advice, and Queensland has issued an exemption to allow free drop‑off at licensed landfills for double‑bagged, clearly labelled sand.
- Authorities continue to advise people to stop using the products, seal them in two heavy plastic bags, label them as asbestos‑contaminated and take them to an authorised facility or use licensed removalists.
- The contamination was uncovered by chance during lab testing, with New Zealand’s WorkSafe alerting Australian regulators, and schools in both countries have undertaken closures and clean‑ups while additional Kmart products were withdrawn.