ECRU Sector Support

14 November 2025

Asbestos in coloured sand product

A product recall statement has been issued by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) for coloured sand products that may contain asbestos, which is a prohibited substance in Australia.

The Department of Communities WA is taking immediate precautionary action, while we establish the extent and risk of the potentially contaminated product. 

The product is sold by Educational Colours Pty Ltd and the recall notice includes the following products: 

• Educational Colours - Rainbow Sand (1.3kg),  
• Creatistics - Coloured Sand (1kg) and  
• Kadink - Sand (1.3kg)   

The products may cause a risk to health as tremolite asbestos (a naturally occurring asbestos) has been detected in some samples after laboratory testing. 

Importantly, respiratory asbestos has not been detected in any of the tested samples. The release of respiratory asbestos fibres from the sand is unlikely to occur in its current state, unless the sand is processed by mechanical means such as crushing or pulverising. 

While the risk that any asbestos found is likely to be airborne or fine enough for inhalation is low, this may still pose a risk. 

Immediate actions 

• Services should stop using this product immediately.  
• If the sand is in a container, place the container in a heavy-duty plastic bag and double tape it securely, label it and keep it in a secure place out of reach of children. Gloves and mask may be worn as a precaution.
• Do not dispose of the product in general waste. 
• Services that are in possession of these products are required to submit a notification through the NQA-ITS
• You may wish to share the following interim statement with your parents and other third-party users of your facilities. 

“You may be aware of reports of a product safety recall issues by the ACCC related to coloured sand that may contain asbestos. Please be assured that we have taken the measures outlined in the Product Safety Recall".

We are working closely with the Department of Health and will provide any necessary updates.  

The Department has stood up an Incident Support Team to track and respond to this issue.   

Contact details: 

Supplier contact details: Educational Colours - recalls@educationalvantage.com   

For health concerns: Department of Health (08) 9222 4222