Parents were told asbestos in play sand was low risk unless ‘pulverised’. But regulators hadn’t tested it

Educational Colours sand products are among those recalled over concerns that they may contain asbestos. Photograph: ACCC

Schools, retailers and government agencies assured parents that asbestos-contaminated play sand posed a low risk to their children’s health based on a supplier’s own assessment which was not independently verified, the Guardian can reveal.

The now-contested public messaging spread quickly after a range of Educational Colours children’s sand products were pulled from shelves in November 2025 after samples were found to contain asbestos, which was followed by more than 20 similar recalls across different brands and retailers.