Exactly 69 learning centers in the ACT region are set to close on Monday after coloured children's sand was recalled because of potential asbestos contamination, the government has said.
The products were recalled after tests revealed asbestos particles in certain batches were recalled by Kmart and Target on the weekend.
The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) said there was a “low” possibility that the cancer-causing material could be released into the air or easily inhaled.
School checks are currently happening and could require a few days, noted ACT Education Minister in an online update. It was also mentioned that atmospheric sampling has returned free from asbestos in the air from every institution.
This comes after a number of kindergartens and schools in the region were fully or partially closed on Friday, following an alert over asbestos dangers in kids' sand distributed by a different store.
“Unfortunately, these sand products are even more widely used in our schools than the previous products,” added the official.
Volunteer crews and education workers have been inspecting facilities and recording locations of colored sand during the past few days, the report continued.
The ACT government clarified that those who handled the item do not require a medical check-up.
Officials said although the danger is small, the administration is “required to eliminate risk as much as reasonably practicable”.
About 23 institutions will continue operations as they contain limited quantities of the sand or are completely free of the product.
The recalled goods listed in the official recall are identified as a play set with sand, and colored magic sand varieties.
The hazardous material, historically utilized in structural components, can disperse dangerous fibers into the air when agitated or handled that can become embedded in respiratory organs and - over a long period - lead to malignancies.
Bringing in or sending out asbestos or items that include the material is illegal in Australia.
