Update: Asbestos contamination confirmed in coloured sand product

3 December 2025

WorkSafe ACT advises that further testing of Kadink Decorative Sand (10g, 6-pack), via Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), has confirmed asbestos contamination in five coloured sand samples: Purple, Blue, Green, Yellow, and Pink.

Testing on the white sand sample did not confirm the presence of asbestos. WorkSafe ACT has not conducted tests on any other brand or container size of decorative sand.

Key Updates; 3 December 2026
  1. Further results from laboratory testing of samples taken by WorkSafe ACT has confirmed that the product sold as Kadink Decorative Sand contains tremolite and chrysotile asbestos. The risk of harm due to exposure to traces of chrysotile and tremolite remains low. However, advice remains not to use the product and avoid any contact with potentially contaminated material.
  1. Amendments to the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011, which commenced on 29 November 2025, and subsequent Ministerial Declaration, effective from 3 December 2025, deemed “the removal, cleaning and disposal of recalled coloured sand products” to be minor work that can be carried out by a competent person. A competent person is a person who has completed the training set out in section 445A of the Regulation, a licensed asbestos removalist or a person who has completed equivalent or higher training.

WorkSafe ACT’s advice has been amended to reflect the new regulation and Ministerial declaration.

If you are a PCBU:

If you believe that you may have the product in your business or undertaking

  • Stop using the product.
  • Determine where the product is present and then isolate/restrict access to that area (isolation should include turning off air conditioners and ceiling fans in the potentially contaminated area and closing windows and doors).
  • Seek guidance from a competent person who can advise on your specific situation and outline the appropriate steps for safe clean-up. This may require engaging a licensed professional (licensed asbestos assessor and/or licensed asbestos removalist) to ensure the process is carried out safely and correctly.
If you have potentially contaminated sand in your home:

Sealed potentially contaminated coloured sand in unopened containers:

  • Do not open the product

Unsealed coloured sand:

  • Stop using the product immediately.
  • Identify where the product is present and isolate/restrict access (including turning off air conditioners and fans and closing windows/doors).
  • You may wish to contact a competent person for advice on the removal, cleaning and disposal actions for the product.

You may choose to clean the potentially contaminated area. If you choose to do so you should take the following steps:

  • Wear disposable gloves. Tuck the gloves under the elasticised cuffs of your clothing. If the cuffs are loose, tape them down to create a proper seal.
  • Wear a P2 rated face mask. Do not use a standard dust mask. A P2 respirator should fit snugly and cover half your face.
  • Wear protective eyewear. Use safety glasses to protect your eyes from dust and debris.
  • Use the wet spray method to wet the potentially contaminated area. For very small areas, a small spray water bottle may be sufficient (you can also add a small amount of surfactant (cleaning product) into the water which will help to limit dust generation). In all cases, the use of water should be in the form of a mist to minimise the potential to generate any dust (Note: Airborne asbestos fibres can be significantly suppressed when the wet spray method is used; however, they may not be entirely eliminated so effective PPE (see above) is also essential).
  • The wetted material should be removed (e.g. via a wet cloth).
  • Alternatively, wet wipes/ wet paper towels can also be used to clean up the material. This involves using a wet wipe to wipe and collect the material (with the same PPE). This material and wipes can be all be disposed of in the waste bag.
  • To effectively decontaminate yourself after the clean-up, remove gloves by rolling them down gently, taking care to keep the gloves inside out to contain any potential contamination. Keeping the P2 mask on, wipe hands and face around the mask with a wet wipe or wet paper towel to remove any potential fibres on your skin. Remove face mask and wipe hands again.

Small quantities of asbestos can be disposed of at Mugga Lane and Mitchell Resource Management Centres for no cost. When disposing of asbestos at resource management centres in the ACT:

  • Material must be double wrapped in 200 micron (min) plastic and sealed (taped up)
  • Plastic packages should be no larger than 800 mm x 800 mm and weigh less than 250kg
  • Packages must be identified to facility operators at the weighbridges on arrival at the Resource Management Centre

Visit the City Services page for more information on disposal of asbestos: https://www.cityservices.act.gov.au/recyclopaedia/items/a/asbestos

200-micron disposal bags are available from hardware and safety supply shops. WorkSafe ACT can also provide them to anyone who believes they may have purchased the potentially contaminated product.

For the most up to date Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has recalls visit here: Customers warned of recalled children’s sand due to asbestos risks | ACCC

For information on safely carrying out minor routine maintenance or other small scale tasks involving asbestos containing materials: https://www.worksafe.act.gov.au/health-and-safety-portal/safety-topics/dangerous-goods-and-hazardous-substances/asbestos/minor-routine-maintenance-and-other-minor-work

If you have any questions or require assistance acquiring disposal bags, contact WorkSafe ACT via WorkSafe_Asbestos@worksafe.act.gov.au

This information is accurate for the ACT.

Statement ends.

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