Following the voluntary recall of a range of coloured play sand products in Australia and New Zealand in late 2025, the Auckland University of Technology initiated a study to simulate children’s play with some of the recalled asbestos-contaminated coloured play sand products.
The question posed by the AUT study was: Can asbestos fibres become airborne during simulated play with contaminated play sands?
Initial research findings have been released by the Auckland University of Technology (AUT).
Preliminary information provided by researchers is that:
- The study tested fifteen samples of coloured play sand products – fourteen were test samples (ten ‘craft sand’ and four ‘moulding sand’) that were confirmed to contain asbestos before use in the study, and one was a control sample confirmed to not contain asbestos.
- Asbestos fibres became airborne during simulated play and cleanup activities involving nine of the ten ‘craft sand’ samples.
- No airborne fibres were detected from simulated play with the ‘moulding sand’ samples or the control sample. It is important to note that the moulding sands tested were confirmed to contain asbestos before use in the study.
Based on the initial-coloured sand response in late 2025, health authorities advised at the time, that there was very low risk to human health from these products.
The Australian health authorities are currently considering the preliminary findings of this new research, noting that the full results of this scientific study have not yet been peer reviewed or published. Conclusions about potential health implications are therefore limited at this stage.
ASSEA is awaiting the final publication and subsequent advice from the relevant health authorities.
It is important to note that the coloured sand products identified with asbestos have been recalled.
Affected coloured sand should continue to be handled and disposed of in line with the advice provided by the relevant state or territory authorities.
Commonwealth, state and territory work health and safety regulators, alongside relevant Australian Government agencies, continue to work together to monitor and, where necessary, respond to any further detections of asbestos in imported coloured sand products.