March 25 2026
Reports of asbestos being found in children’s toys and educational materials—such as kinetic sand—are becoming increasingly common, raising serious concerns for some of the most vulnerable members of our community.
This problem is now a global issue with reports and recalls happening in Australia, Belgium, France, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and across the European Union.
In Australia, the discovery of asbestos contamination in coloured children’s sand products in November 2025 led to national concern and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has published recall notices for coloured sand products that may contain asbestos and are sold at various retailers in Australia.
Safe disposal and health information for consumers with recalled sand products | ACCC Product Safety
While acknowledging that the risk to health is low, it doesn’t mean no risk – it is still very important to take precautions with all potential exposures. The World Health Organisation has determined that there is no safe level of exposure to asbestos fibres.
It is important to note that not everyone exposed to asbestos will develop an asbestos-related disease, but that the risk increases with every exposure, so it is important to take control to minimise further exposure.
This is an important opportunity to highlight that deadly chrysotile asbestos is naturally occurring and is still mined, manufactured into products and used in dozens of countries across the globe. The only way to eliminate asbestos-related diseases is to eliminate the risk of exposure through a global ban on asbestos use.
Read ADDRI’s expert advice relating to the health risks here: asbestos found in coloured sand