Amid the potential asbestos exposure in decorative coloured sand, around 15 public schools in Canberra and one school in Brisbane have been closed on Friday.
Earlier this week, traces of chrysotile, a type of naturally occurring asbestos, were found in decorative coloured sand. Following the laboratory testing, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) issued a recall notice for Kadink Sand, Educational Colours Rainbow Sand and Creatistics Coloured Sand.
Accordind to ACT Education Minister Yvette Berry, Kadink Decorative Sand was used in some Canberra schools for sensory play and arts and craft. This has led to closure of 15 public schools and the partial closure of several others.
He added that though the risk of exposure to traces of chrysotile is low, it is the highest proiority for the government to safeguard students, staff and families.
Brisbane Schools Affected Too:
Not only in Canberra, but schools in Brisbane were affected too. After traces of asbestos were found in the sand product in its junior and senior school, Mancel College in Brisbane announced it will close its campus for the day.
The college released an official statement on social media and advised parents to make arrangements to collect their children.
The college said that all the students impacted with the asbestos, will be kept away from any impacted area until collected by parents. They added they are following the guidelines and quarantined the products.
Another school in Brisbane, Indooroopilly Outside School Hours Care (IOSHC), alerted parents on the use of the decorative sand. However, it remains open.
It sent a safety notice to the parents assuring that all the remaining products and craft containing asbestos, has been removed from the service.
Meanwhile, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) issued an advisory saying any materials or areas impacted should be isolated. It also advised people to avoid sweeping, shovelling, vacuuming or disturbing any sand.
ACCC Releases Retailers List:
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has issued a list of retailers has issued a list of retailers selling decorative coloured sand subject.
Here are some of them:
a) ABC School Supplies
b) Arrow Group Australia
c) Bambam Kids Toys
d) Bellbird Kid-Z
e) Bona — Kids and Family
f) Cam Art Craft & Technology
g) Campion Education
h) Central Victorian Office Supplies
i) Chris Humphrey Office National
j) Clever Bugs
k) CleverPatch
NSW, Victoria, NT School Remain Open:
As per the details, all the schools in NSW, Victoria and Northern Territory are open. The Victorian Department of Education (VPE), the NSW Department of Education, and the Northern Territory Department of Education (NTDE) have confirmed it.
With VPE spokesperson said they are identifying shcools that may be using the recalled products, NSE department said they already sent safety alert to all its public schools to remove sand products. While NTDE spokesperson said they will dispose all their supplies of the sand from the daycare centres.
Expert Cites Concern:
ACCC deputy chair Catriona Lowe asked people to be careful and check is the recalled products were in their homes.
She said that when asbestos is inhaled, it it is a problem as it contains microscopic fibres.
Experts have requested people to take caution while disposing of the sand products, considering the dust or fibres may become airborne.
ACT advised people to wear disposable gloves, protective eyewear and a P2-rated face mask when disposing of the product. It added that sand must be double-wrapped in thick plastic bags and sealed with tape. The asbestos waste should not be disposed of in general waste, it said.
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