Name: Concerns over asbestos-contaminated sand products in South Australia
Uploaded: 2025-11-15T06:27:20.208Z
Duration: 1 min 28 s
Description: A South Australian school is the latest to issue warnings to parents about decorative sand products after a nationwide recall due to asbestos contamination fears.

A South Australian school is the latest to issue warnings to parents about decorative sand products after a nationwide recall due to asbestos contamination fears.

Adelaide

Decorative sand products previously used in classrooms and sold in major retailers across Australia have been withdrawn after testing revealed traces of asbestos. The products, available since 2020, have led to warnings at schools, including Oakbank School in Adelaide Hills, and the closure of several schools in Canberra and Brisbane.

Authorities, including the education department and Safe Work SA, are overseeing the safe removal of the sand through licensed contractors, stating the risk is low but emphasizing that any exposure is concerning. Families and workers are advised to stop using the products and to contact licensed asbestos removers for disposal, while experts recommend documenting any concerns related to exposure.

Concerns over asbestos-contaminated sand products in South Australia

A product once used to brighten up a classroom now casting a shadow over them. It's a very concerning issue especially when there's young children involved. These decorative sand products sold in businesses like Officeworks and Woolworths since 2020 pulled from shelves across Australia after testing revealed traces of asbestos. It's really important that we are proactive in issues like this to make sure that the harm is contained. Oakbank School in the Adelaide Hills the latest to issue a warning to parents after the state's education department confirmed they were one of 130 sites to have the products on campus. In a statement the department says it's helping to manage the removal of it in a safe and secure way through a licensed contractor. The risk is low and is being managed in line with national standards. The risk is low but any exposure is not good and of course we'll be, you know, the education department and Safe Work SA will be working very hard I'm sure to remove all of this product. It follows the forced closure of 16 schools across Canberra and one in Brisbane yesterday. Safe Work is urging families and workers to stop using the products immediately. They've also advised not to dispose of the sand in general waste bins but rather contact a licensed asbestos remover list. Experts urging anyone who's come into contact with the products to document any concerns. We don't yet know the full extent of the damage or the injuries that could potentially happen. Abbey Smith, 10 News.

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