Source: Radio New Zealand
The recalled sand products. Supplied
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is widening its net to test products similar to play sand currently being recalled.
Quartz-based sand from Education Colours, Creatistics and Anko have been found to be contaminated with tremolite, a naturally occurring type of asbestos.
About 40 schools and early childcare centres have closed, or planned to, because of the contamination fears.
MBIE’s product safety spokesperson Ian Caplin said the ministry and other agencies were proactively testing samples from other similar products available in New Zealand.
“We are expecting to receive further results later this week and will update our partners and New Zealanders as they are received,” he said.
“In the meantime, our advice is that when in doubt, take a cautious approach and dispose of sand in accordance with the guidance on Health NZ and WorkSafe’s websites.”
Caplin said anyone who found sand products positive with asbestos after independent testing should send copies of the test report to recalls@mbie.govt.nz so the ministry could begin the recall process.
It comes after a West Auckland school notified families its play sand had tested positive, after previously saying they did not have any of the products on the recall list.
Matipo School in Te Atatu Peninsula wrote to parents saying it was testing other types of sand used for art activities as a precaution.
The school set out steps including independent testing, isolating and temporarily closing affected class rooms, and ensuring there was no access to the sand until it was confirmed safe.
However, Principal Jonnie Black wrote to members of the school community to say a small number of samples tested had returned positive results.
“I want to reassure our community that there is no immediate risk, and we are following all recommended Ministry of Education and health and safety procedures,” he said.
“Affected classrooms have been temporarily relocated while we complete air-quality testing and arrange professional decontamination of those spaces.”
Students were safe, well supervised and settled in alternative learning areas, he said.
Black said they had asked the families of specific classes to seal and return any sand-based artwork, so it could be disposed of safely and appropriately.
“This step is part of the national precautionary process to ensure full compliance with safety guidelines.”
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
