The recall of coloured sand products has been expanded to four more products after asbestos was detected in additional samples.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment said independent testing had identified four additional products that tested positive for tremolite asbestos.
The products identified were a 14-piece Sandcastle Building Set, and anko brand Blue, Green and Pink Magic Sand sets sold at Kmart.
“We urge families who have purchased these products to stop using them immediately, secure them safely, and contact your local council for advice on where and how to dispose of the contaminated material safely,” Ian Caplin, MBIE product safety spokesperson, said.
“If you are at a workplace, where you may have higher volumes of these products or more people may have come in contact with the products, you should contact a licensed asbestos assessor or removalist for immediate advice and support on your specific situation.”
A list could be found on the WorkSafe website.
Caplin said “proactive testing” of a range of similar products was underway.
“At this point, we cannot say for certain if these are the only products that are contaminated,” he said.
MBIE was working with Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora, the Ministry of Education and WorkSafe to provide guidance for consumers and workplaces.
Immediate advice for Consumers:
- Stop using the product immediately.
- Do not let children touch or play with the sand.
- Place the sand in a sealed container, then double-bag in thick plastic, seal with tape, and clearly label as “Asbestos-Contaminated Material.”
- Do not dispose of 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 the Health NZ webpage here: Asbestos in sand
- Once secure, we encourage people to contact your retailer for a refund under the Consumer Guarantees Act.
- For further advice call the MBIE Consumer line 0508 426 678
Immediate advice for Workplaces:
- If the sand is in a sealed container, move it to a secure location away from people.
- If the sand is currently being used in your workplace, please instruct everyone to leave the area, block it off and make sure it is not accessible. Do not vacuum or sweep floors where there is sand or attempt to clean it up.
- Contact a licensed asbestos assessor or removalist for immediate advice and support on your specific situation. Details of Class A licensed removalists are available in the Asbestos Removal Licence Holders Register: Asbestos removal licence holders · Online services. Do not return to the affected area until the extent of contamination is established, and after the area is remediated by an expert.
- If individuals are currently using the sand, they should put it down and relocate to a sand-free, well-ventilated area.
- If you are an educational facility and have identified that the sand has been used at your site, please notify the Ministry of Education.
- All clothing worn during exposure must be disposed of as asbestos waste as part of personal decontamination.
Other similar products were recalled earlier this week after Tremolite — a naturally occurring form of asbestos — was found in lab samples.
Products affected are labelled as Kadink Decorative sand 10g 6 pack, Kadink Sand (1.3kg), Educational Colours Rainbow Sand (1.3kg) and Creatistics Coloured Sand (1kg).
The Ministry of Education said nearly 60 schools and early childhood centres have contacted them over possible asbestos contamination.
In Australia, where the products are also sold, some 23 schools and preschools were shut or partially shut.
Asbestos can cause disastrous health effects, including lung scarring, asbestosis and cancer.
