A Startling Discovery: Asbestos in Children's Sand Uncovered in an Australian Lab
In a surprising turn of events, a routine lab test for staff training and machine calibration led to a significant health concern. The discovery of asbestos in children's play sand was a chance finding, brought to light by a lab manager's casual mention during a podcast interview. This revelation sparked a chain of events that affected schools and families across Australia and New Zealand.
The story began when Michael Shepherd, co-owner and manager of the lab, discussed the contamination with Robert McAllister, a director at the Faculty of Asbestos Management of Australia and New Zealand (FAMANZ). McAllister, upon learning of the contamination, promptly informed workplace safety authorities in New Zealand (NZ) on November 5. This action prompted the NZ authorities to notify their Australian counterparts, who then compelled the lab to disclose the positive asbestos tests, which were initially covered by client confidentiality.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) swiftly responded on November 12, announcing a national safety recall for several brands of children's sand. This led to the closure of schools in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Queensland, and South Australia. McAllister revealed that Australian authorities were unaware of the contamination until informed by their NZ counterparts, who had already taken action.
The ACCC clarified that the initial lab testing was conducted for internal training and machine calibration, not for suspicion of asbestos. The agency learned about the sand products through a workplace health and safety working group, prompting them to investigate further. This led to voluntary recalls issued by the suppliers.
Corey Sinclair, deputy chief executive of operations at WorkSafe NZ, confirmed McAllister's account, stating that the agency was alerted to the potential issue on November 6. WorkSafe NZ then notified the Australian workplace health and safety authorities, who coordinated the recall of the contaminated sand products sold in both countries.
The sand products were imported from China by two Victorian suppliers and sold by major retailers, including Officeworks. Education Colours, one of the suppliers, emphasized their commitment to product safety and quality, stating they are working closely with regulators and government agencies to address the issue. The other supplier, Shamrock Australia, has not yet responded to requests for comment.
McAllister's discovery was made during an interview with Shepherd for the 'Asbestos Still Kills' podcast. The episode focused on 'transmission electron microscopy' (TEM), a specialized technique using a rare, million-dollar microscope to identify asbestos forms. During the interview, Shepherd mentioned testing sand products designed for children, which contained tremolite asbestos. McAllister described the revelation as unsettling, especially given the product's widespread use by children.
When asked about informing others, Shepherd mentioned client confidentiality, but McAllister was able to proceed with his investigation. He raised the issue with an NZ WorkSafe official on November 5, who shared his concerns. The gravity of the situation became apparent, as the contaminated sand was used in educational facilities and private homes, posing a significant risk to children.
Authorities have assured the public that the asbestos fibers are not respirable, but McAllister argues that the necessary testing to confirm this has not been conducted. He emphasizes the vulnerability of young children to asbestos fibers, particularly when playing with the sand up close. McAllister believes the risk is too high, and further testing is required to ensure the safety of the products.
The ACCC has urged the public to stop using the identified sand products immediately, secure them in a bag, and dispose of them at authorized facilities or with asbestos professionals. This incident highlights the importance of vigilance in product safety and the potential consequences of unexpected discoveries in routine testing.
