Asbestos in coloured sand product#
We have been informed by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) that there may be an issue with a coloured sand product that may contain asbestos that is sold in consumer outlets in New Zealand.
On the advice of WorkSafe, we are taking immediate precautionary action, while we establish the extent and risk of the potentially contaminated product.
Independent testing in Australia has confirmed asbestos contamination in similar products. While testing of New Zealand batches is ongoing, as a precautionary measure, the company Educational Colours has issued a recall notice for EC Rainbow Sand (1.3kg) and Creatistics - Coloured Sand (1kg).
Anyone who has bought these products, either for personal use or potential use in an educational environment, should act immediately.
Immediate actions for active use areas including educational facilities#
If the sand is in a container, the advice is to seal it and arrange for safe disposal through licensed professionals.
If the sand is loose or in use in your facility, please instruct everyone to leave the area, block it off and make sure it is not accessible. Do not vacuum or sweep floors where there is sand, or attempt to clean it up. Contact a licensed professional for safe removal.
A list of licensed asbestos removalists can be found here:
Asbestos removal licence holders – Worksafe
If an educational facility has identified that the sand has been used at their facility, they should notify Ministry of Education at 0800 323 323 and detail the actions that have been taken so far.
The Ministry of Education phone line will be open from 8am Thursday, 13 November. If needed, you can email us after hours at: [email protected].
At this stage we do not have enough information to quantify the risk to people’s health, but we advise people to take a precautionary approach and stop using the products.
We appreciate that the presence of asbestos in products that are used by children may cause worry for parents and caregivers.
We, along with Health New Zealand, and WorkSafe will provide guidance for consumers, early learning services, and schools who may have bought these products.
Contact details:
- Supplier contact details: Educational Colours +61 1800 002 686 [email protected]
- For health concerns: Healthline 0800 611 116
- For questions regarding disposal: Worksafe 0800 030 040
- For public recalls: 0508 426 678
- For advice for schools and early education centres: contact the Ministry of Education 0800 323 323.
