Research into asbestos in sand products#

Late last year some coloured sand products sold in New Zealand were recalled due to potential asbestos contamination.

Auckland University of Technology researched whether asbestos fibres in the recalled sand products were airborne and could be inhaled when used. It has published the results.

Airborne asbestos in kids’ play sand – Auckland University of Technology

What this means for you#

We want to make sure students, teachers and wider school and early learning communities are safe at all times. As soon as we learned about the recalled products, we worked with Ministry of Health, Health New Zealand, WorkSafe and Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) to give schools and early learning services information and guidance on safely managing asbestos in sand.

We will keep following public health and MBIE’s advice on product recalls.

Asbestos in sand – Health New Zealand

Recalled sand products – Product Safety

What to do if you find affected products#

If you find affected products in your school or early learning service, you should:

• stop using it immediately
• secure it
• dispose of it safely.

See our step-by-step guidance for schools and early learning services on safely removing affected products:

Asbestos in coloured sand

Under health and safety legislation, school boards and early learning service providers are the person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU). This means they are legally responsible for managing asbestos risks, including removal and remediation.