Source: Radio New Zealand
Educational Colours Rainbow Sand has been recalled. Supplied / Product Safety NZ
Thames Coromandel District Council hopes to be able to say soon when two of its libraries caught up in the contaminated play sand scare will re-open.
Action around potentially asbestos contaminated children’s play sand has expanded beyond schools and early childhood centres.
Council libraries in Thames and Tairua in Coromandel were closed on Wednesday so work can be done to reduce the risk of any asbestos.
Thames Coromandel District Council said the closures were for vital health and safety maintenance so the public and staff could be kept safe.
“An investigation into the use of play sand in council facilities has revealed that products from the recalled list have been used recently in Thames Library and we are seeking clarity whether one of the recalled products was used more than six months ago at Tairua Library,” it said.
The council said it had spoken to WorkSafe and had engaged an asbestos disposal specialist to take possible contaminated material from Thames library.
It was hoping to advise of plans to re-open the libraries as soon as it knew more from its technical advisors.
It comes after the Education Ministry on Tuesday night sent updated advice to schools and early learning centres.
It told them all recalled sand products must be presumed to contain asbestos.
Auckland Council said there are no indications the sand was used in any of its libraries. The council later issued advice for what Aucklanders should do with any of the recalled sand.
It was to take safely-contained product to the council’s Asbestos Lab in Grafton between 9am and 3.30pm Monday to Friday.
The site was for homes only, with education facilities needing to follow advice from WorkSafe
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
