Dr Prabani Wood on what parents need to know and how risky the exposure really is.
People potentially exposed to asbestos from coloured play sand are being told that symptoms could take decades to show.
More than 20 schools and early learning services across the country closed yesterday after multiple brands of sand were found to contain asbestos.
On Saturday, the Ministry of Business, Innovationand Employment (MBIE) issued a recall for four Kmart products after coloured sand products tested positive for tremolite asbestos.
Dr Prabani Wood, the medical director of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners, said people worried about exposure can contact Healthline for advice, but there is no point rushing to the doctor.
“If you are going to get any symptoms, it will be many years down the track,” she told Herald NOW host Ryan Bridge.
She said it could take “20-50 years” for symptoms to appear.
Coloured sand products have been recalled over asbestos contamination fears. Photo / Supplied
Wood said that, despite there being a low risk of exposure to the toxic substance from swallowing the sand, serious precautions should be taken by anyone who has affected products.
“If, as a parent, you’ve got this product in your house, make sure no one’s touching it. Try and contain it if you can.
“If it’s already in the container, the advice is to double-bag it, and then contact your local council.”
Gloves, goggles and an N95 mask are recommended when handling the sand out of the container.
“Any contact you get on it on your clothes, dispose of those clothes in the same way as you would be wanting to dispose of the sand.”
Despite sounding scary, that is the advice that has to be given because the issue has to be taken seriously, regardless of the “likely very minimal exposure”, said Wood.
Information on how to clean up and get rid of the sand can be obtained by contacting your local council, said Wood.
Asbestos levels are currently being tested, but it is likely to be “very trace amounts”.
The risk is also low because exposure is at its worst when breathing it in, which is ”much harder to do if it’s in sand”.
John Miller Law solicitor Merlyn Remiens told Herald NOW Kiwis affected by asbestos exposure will not be able to sue the sand brands and will instead have to make a claim with ACC.
As all personal injury jurisdiction in New Zealand is governed by ACC, “you are in fact barred explicitly from making a claim against the manufacturer or distributor”, he said.
