Australian and NZ safety assurances about asbestos in play sand were based on supplier’s own assessment
Australian and New Zealand authorities relied on unverified supplier assessments when claiming that asbestos-contaminated play sand posed a low health risk. Recent testing has forced regulators to update recall notices to acknowledge potential health dangers.
Why it matters
Exposes failures in regulatory oversight and the potential health risks posed to children in schools and childcare facilities.
Educational Colours sand products are among those recalled over concerns that they may contain asbestos. Photograph: ACCC Educational Colours sand products are among those recalled over concerns that they may contain asbestos. Photograph: ACCC Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Australian and NZ safety assurances about asbestos in play sand were based on supplier’s own assessment ACCC updates some recall notices to say products ‘may cause risk to health’, contrary to previous claims
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Prefer the Guardian on Google Schools, retailers and government agencies assured parents that asbestos-contaminated play sand posed a low risk to their children’s health based on a supplier’s own assessment which was not independently verified, the Guardian can reveal.
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