Dozens of schools in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) are closing today due to concerns over play sand that may contain asbestos. The closures affect nearly 70 public schools and preschools, following earlier shutdowns of 23 facilities on Friday. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) issued warnings after traces of asbestos were detected in colored sand products sold at retailers like Kmart and Target.

ACT Education Minister Yvette Berry announced the closures, stating that the sand products are widely used in schools. "Unfortunately, these sand products are even more widely used in our schools than the Officeworks products," she said. The government has begun auditing public schools for affected products, with 71 schools identified for closure and only 23 remaining open.

Asbestos removal contractors have been working over the weekend to address the issue. Berry noted that the process of testing, remediating, and clearing the affected spaces could take several days. "This is a best practice in managing hazardous materials and I am committed to putting the safety of staff and students first," she said.

Health officials have indicated that the risk of airborne asbestos is low. Berry mentioned that all air testing conducted so far has returned negative results for airborne asbestos. "Health officials yesterday confirmed that the risk is very low, and they do not recommend any clinical assessment for people in contact with these products," she added.

In South Australia, over 100 sites have been identified with similar concerns, but no schools have been closed there. The sand in question, sold as Kadink Decorative Sand in 10-gram tubes, was imported from China. The ACCC has issued multiple recalls for various sand products, including a 14-piece sand castle building set and colored sand in blue, green, and pink.

Parents and guardians have been advised to monitor communications from their schools regarding the situation. The recall notice instructs customers to stop using the products immediately and to dispose of them safely. Instructions include wearing disposable gloves and a mask when handling the sand and ensuring it is kept out of reach of children.

The situation continues to develop as authorities work to ensure the safety of students and staff across affected schools. Further updates are expected as the audits and remediation efforts progress.