The coloured sand products sold by Kmart NZ have tested positive for tremolite asbestos, prompting last week’s urgent recall notice from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).
Some Bay of Plenty kura are closed or partly closed after multiple brands of coloured play sand were found to contain asbestos.
On Saturday, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment issued a recall for four Kmart products – the 14-piece sandcastle building set and the blue, green and pink Magic Sand sets – after coloured sand products tested positive for tremolite asbestos.
Whakatāne’s Allandale School closed yesterday as a precautionary health and safety measure and would remain closed today, principal Josh Te Aomarere said via social media.
“A small amount of this product has been used at Allandale, and as soon as we were made aware of the issue, all sand was immediately removed and safely disposed of,” Te Aomarere said.
“To ensure the ongoing safety and well-being of our tamariki and kaimahi, we have engaged a licensed asbestos consultant who will be on-site first thing tomorrow to carry out surface and air testing in the areas where the sand was used.
“While we expect the risk to be low, we will only reopen once we receive formal confirmation that all spaces are safe.”
Te Aomarere said commercial cleaners who specialise in asbestos-related cleaning would be brought in immediately if any contamination was found.
“It is definitely my expectation that we will all be back at kura on Wednesday, we simply have to allow this process to run its course,” Te Aomarere said.
“Thank you for your patience and understanding while we work through this issue and ensure our kura is safe for our tamariki.”
James St School has also closed for testing as a precaution, principal Stephen Soutar said.
“An accredited assessor (to test areas for traces of asbestos) is currently testing three classrooms and will return tomorrow to complete the task. Once testing is complete, we will wait for results from the lab, which may take up to 24 hours.”
Apanui School tested on Sunday and was closed Monday, but reopened today after tests came back negative, principal Mārama Stewart said.
Edgecumbe School has moved two classes to other buildings while testing is being done.
Two classes at Nukuhou North School were also closed.
“We will not have results until āpōpō, Tuesday 18th November, due to the high volumes of testing taking place. Therefore, we ask that Miromiro students remain at home again tomorrow, until we have these results. Miromiro and the library will remain closed until we have the results,” the school posted on social media.
“Whio and Kāhu can be on school grounds and continue their learning programmes as normal.”
Western Bay of Plenty District Council has set up dedicated drop-off bins at its Te Puke and Katikati recycling centres for people to safely dispose of the recalled sand products.
The NZ Herald reported yesterday more than 20 schools and early learning services across the country had closed and the Ministry of Education revealed it had received more than 260 queries related to multiple brands of coloured play sand.
The ministry’s leader of operations and integration, Sean Teddy, said as of 1pm Monday, it has been in contact with 167 schools and 95 early learning services.
“Sixteen schools and seven early learning services have informed us they are temporarily closed or planning to close to address possible contamination,” Teddy said.
“We appreciate that the presence of asbestos in products that are used by children will cause worry for parents and caregivers. We recommend they contact Healthline with any health concerns they may have about their children who may have come into contact with these products.”
An earlier recall related to EC Rainbow Sand and Creatistics – Coloured Sand, sold at retailers including Paper Plus, Hobby Land, NZ School Shop, Office Products Depot, Discount Office, Acquire and Qizzle.
Teddy earlier said he appreciated that parents and caregivers would be anxious and urged anyone concerned to contact Healthline for advice.
“We are working closely with MBIE and WorkSafe to provide schools and early learning services with advice on testing, remediation and closure decisions.”
A union representing the education sector said reports of asbestos-contaminated products in our early childhood centres and primary schools were “deeply alarming”.
Ripeka Lessels, president of NZEI Te Riu Roa, said the union was urgently seeking clarity from the Government on the health risks and what specific support relevant agencies would provide for the swift and safe removal of contaminated products and decontamination of all affected sites.
Jason Miles, vice-president of the New Zealand Principals’ Federation (NZPF) said it put “trust in the Ministry of Education staff to provide schools that require support with the best advice and resourcing to keep their children, staff and communities safe”.
Teddy said schools and early learning services who have these products should follow WorkSafe’s advice.
EC Rainbow Sand (1.3kg) – previously recalled
Creatistics Coloured Sand (1kg) – previously recalled
14-piece Sandcastle Building Set (batch number 42975724)
Blue Magic Sand (batch number 42304364)
Green Magic Sand (batch number 432919650)
Pink Magic Sand (batch number 42304371)
Stop using the product immediately.
Don’t let children touch or play with the sand.
Place the sand in a sealed container then double-bag it in thick plastic, seal with tape and clearly label as “Asbestos-Contaminated Material”.
Don’t dispose of it in household rubbish or vacuum it up. Contact your local council for advice on where and how to dispose of the contaminated material safely.
Refer to the clean-up and disposal instructions in this Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora webpage.
Once the product is secure, people should contact their retailer for a refund under the Consumer Guarantees Act.
For further advice, call the MBIE consumer line on 0508 426 678.
-Additional reporting by Tyson Beckett and Rachel Maher at NZ Herald