Schools have been shut in the Australian Capital Territory after children's play sand was recalled due to asbestos fears.

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Almost all Canberra primary schools were closed on Monday, with Education Minister Yvette Berry conceding it could take "days" for schools to be declared safe to open again.

The sand has also been used in schools in other states and territories and has been sold nationwide by major retailers. I am a cancer specialist and researcher into asbestos related diseases, should parents be worried?

Last week, the Australian consumer watchdog recalled several types of coloured sand, which children use for art and craft activities or sensory play.

This was because tremolite asbestos (a naturally occurring form of asbestos) had been "detected in some samples after laboratory testing".

Worksafe ACT says it has also found traces of chrysotile (another type of asbestos) in one product, Kadink decorative sand. It says "the risk of exposure to traces of chrysotile is low".

All the products came from China and were sold by a wide range of retailers, including Woolworths and Officeworks, between 2020 and 2025.

People should not be overly worried about this as the risk for........

© Canberra Times