Dr Prabani Wood on what parents need to know and how risky the exposure really is.
The Ministry of Education used coloured sand products, which were potentially contaminated with asbestos, as part of its education programmes.
On Saturday, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) issued a recall of coloured sand products sold by Kmart NZ that tested positive for tremolite asbestos.
Anearlier recall related to coloured sand sold at several retailers.
Potentially contaminated sand dates back to January 2021.
Now the Ministry of Education has told the Herald that the sand may have been used in its programmes at schools and early education centres.
Kmart NZ Magic Sands products are being recalled after asbestos was detected. They are the 14-piece Sandcastle Building Set and the Blue, Green and Pink Magic Sand sets.
Leader of operations and integration, Sean Teddy, said: “Following last week’s recall, we checked with our regional offices and have identified a small number of cases where ministry staff may have used this product as part of education programmes they were delivering at the time.”
He said the ministry does not usually stock or supply this product to schools or early learning services.
The ministry followed up with the affected education centres to “make sure the latest guidance had been received”.
“We have shared advice and guidance with all schools and early learning services so they have the most up-to-date information and can take action if the recalled products are found.”
Two coloured sand products have been recalled over asbestos contamination fears. Photo / Supplied
On Tuesday, Dr Prabani Wood, the medical director of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners, said exposure symptoms could take 20-50 years to show.
Wood told Herald NOWthat, 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.”
The four recalled products sold at Kmart are the 14-piece sandcastle building set and the blue, green and pink Magic Sand sets.
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 – was earlier recalled.
