Source: Radio New Zealand
Some of the latest coloured sand products to be recalled over asbestos fears. (File photo) Supplied
Riddled with anxiety, no sleep and no answers – some parents are worrying about about what the long-term impact of exposure to asbestos-contaminated children’s coloured play sand could be.
Over the past two weeks, there’s been rolling recalls of the magic sand used by children and schools across the country, raising concerns about imported children’s products.
Parents said they’re worried about the long-term impacts of exposure and the costs of testing and removal.
They’ve also raised concerns about the lack of safety checks in imported children’s products.
As Amber Nordmeyer picked up her remote, switched on her TV and flicked on the news, pictures of Kmart play-sand flashed across her screen.
To Nordmeyer’s horror, the recall numbers on her TV screen matched those on the buckets of green Kmart sand, that she purchased five years ago.
“It’s been really difficult; I haven’t been able to sleep for over a week.
“The shock of seeing the recalled product numbers that I had in my home on the news was extreme I felt sick to my stomach and went into a complete panic.”
Nordmeyer sent a bucket of the sand for testing, costing her $287.
An asbestos sand disposal spot in Auckland. (File photo) RNZ/Calvin Samuel
She’s worried other parts of her house are contaminated too.
Lower Hutt parent Keren Lee said two years ago she bought coloured Kmart play sand for her 10-month-old and 3-year-old.
She was waiting anxiously to hear the results of tests, whether she’ll have to get her whole house tested and how much it will cost.
The tests have come back positive for asbestos.
“I think for people like me who have had it in the house, it’s been played with for a while, it’s been vacuumed up, we haven’t really had clear guidance on how worried we should be about the longer-term exposure.
“[Also] it being spread through the rest of our house and whether we should be getting professionals in fast.”
Lee said it’s made her think twice about buying imported toys again.
Some of the recalled play sand. (File photo) Supplied / MBIE
“If it’s come into the country, surely it’s safe. I never thought I’d have to question a product for something with such a serious substance.
“[I’m] being more careful about things like slime, sand and anything sensory, I’m obviously questioning a lot more than I used to.”
Wellington parent Matt Newman-Hall said his children’s two-year-old Kmart unicorn sand kits tested positive for asbestos.
He wanted answers and to see the retailers who sold the contaminated sand held to account.
“I’ve been in touch with Kmart, hopefully getting the product noted as an official recall, but also I’ve asked them to pay the invoice for the testing.
“I’ve also asked them what else they’re planning on doing. I haven’t had a response to that email yet, but I think there’s a pretty big responsibility and moral obligation that should fall on the retailer.”
Newman-Hall said he’s worried his children’s health would be impacted long-term.
“Is this going to impact people’s ability to get health insurance, or is it going to impact life insurance levies?”
Waikato parent Jessica Jordan said both she and her neighbour were first quoted $3000 for asbestos testing in their homes.
But luckily one of Jordan’s tests came back negative and after shopping around, her neighbour got their price down to $1000.
Jordan said a group of parents are talking about taking a class action lawsuit if they aren’t reimbursed.
“I’ve looked and can see that it’s probably a very expensive process, unless we can get litigation funding, or some hot shot lawyer that wants to represent the families.”
Under the Consumer Guarantees Act if a product isn’t safe, buyers are entitled to a refund of the money as well as the cost of testing and cleaning.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment also said it’s the retailer’s responsibility to sell products that are safe.
It said products containing asbestos aren’t allowed to be imported, unless they have a permit.
Checkpoint contacted Kmart for comment but had not received a response.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
