Two coloured sand products have been recalled over asbestos contamination fears, including EC Rainbow Sand. Photo / Supplied
Two coloured sand products have been recalled over asbestos contamination fears, including EC Rainbow Sand. Photo / Supplied
Two coloured sand products have been recalled over potential asbestos contamination.
The affected products are EC Rainbow Sand and Creatistics – Coloured Sand, with both being sold at retailers including Paper Plus, Hobby Land, NZ School Shop, Office Products Depot, Discount Office, Acquire and Qizzle.
The Ministry of Business, Innovationand Employment (MBIE) said the products could have also been sold online.
“We are taking immediate precautionary action, while we establish the extent and risk of the potentially contaminated product,” said MBIE product safety spokesman Ian Caplin.
“We urge anyone who has bought these products, either for personal use or potential use in a school or other setting, to act immediately.
“Stop using the sand, contain it, secure it in a safe place and arrange for safe disposal through licensed professionals, a list of these is available on the Worksafe website.”
Consumers have been encouraged to contact the supplier of the sands to organise a refund once the product has been secured.
Testing of the New Zealand product is ongoing, but independent testing in Australia confirmed asbestos contamination in similar products.
The company behind the sands, Educational Colours, has issued a recall notice as a result of this.
Education facilities that may have the coloured sands on-site have been told to instruct anyone on their premises to leave the area, block it off and make sure it is inaccessible.
MBIE has encouraged those who bought the products to contact the supplier of the sands to organise a refund. Photo / Supplied
MBIE has encouraged these facilities to contact a licensed asbestos assessor or removalist for immediate advice and support.
Education facilities should also contact MBIE if they have found the sand at their facility and detail the actions they have taken in regard to it so far.
Anyone using the sand should put it down and relocate to a well-ventilated area.
Exposure to asbestos fibres can pose significant health risks and could lead to a range of serious lung diseases including asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer.
“Asbestos is a serious health hazard and we are working with Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora, the Ministry of Education and WorkSafe to provide guidance for consumers and educational facilities which may have bought these products,” said Caplin.
