Schools in Australia have closed over asbestos in play sand fears – here’s what you need to know

Asbestos removalists at Black Mountain school in Canberra. More than 70 public schools in the ACT were closed due to potential asbestos contamination. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP

More than 70 public schools in the ACT were closed on Monday after the consumer regulator recalled several children’s sand products because they could contain asbestos.

Last week, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) issued a recall for several products sold at leading Australian retailers including Officeworks, which also made its own decision to recall additional products.