Public health advice after recall of children's sand products
21 November 2025
Public health advice after recall of children's sand products
WA Health is urging Western Australians to take precautions following a product recall published by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) recall notice issued on 13 November (external site) for children’s coloured sand products that may contain asbestos.
Chief Health Officer Dr Andrew Robertson confirmed that testing by an Australian-accredited laboratory has detected tremolite asbestos in some imported coloured and decorative sand products commonly used in children’s play and craft activities.
The ACCC(external site) recall was initiated as a precautionary measure after these findings.
Based on current information, the risk to the community from these products is low, but the public should take a cautious approach.
What should you do?
- Stop using coloured sand products immediately and follow these steps:
- Stop using any of the identified sand products immediately.
- Keep children and other people away from areas where the sand has been used until the area has been cleaned.
- Clean up sites where the product was used using wet cloths to avoid generating dust.
- Wear gloves and a mask (preferably P2 or N95).
- Double bag the sand, gloves, mask and cloths.
- Store in a secure location.
- Dispose of the products appropriately.
- Environmental Health Committee (enHealth) has advised it supports members of the public to use accessible disposal methods including, where permitted, through the ordinary waste stream.
Health information
- Health effects from asbestos generally occur many years after long-term inhalation of very small fibres.
- Testing to date indicates that there is very low risk to human health from these products.
- enHealth has advised it is aware that tests undertaken independently by private individuals or organisations may show presence of asbestos in trace amounts – they present a very low risk to human health.
- Based on the currently available information WA Health does not recommend any clinical assessment for people who may have been in contact with this product.
The Department of Health is working closely with the Departments of Education, Communities, Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety (WorkSafe and Consumer Protection) to respond to this issue.
A full list of impacted products and retailers who sold the products can be found here (external site).