Asbestos in coloured sand

Issued: 12/11/2025
Last Updated: 12/11/2025

Purpose

This safety alert provides information regarding a number of brands of coloured sand products, containing small quantities of asbestos, that have been imported into Australia.

Background

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) are aware of the importation of coloured sand products that have been found to contain a low level of Tremolite and/or Chrysotile asbestos. The sand products appear to be manufactured and supplied by a Chinese company and subsequently on-sold in Australia.

The importation of asbestos or goods containing asbestos into Australia is prohibited. Australian Border Force (ABF) continue to make enquires to confirm details of the importer and supplier(s) involved.
The coloured sand can be used as an educational aid and for arts and crafts.

Product description

Information currently available has identified affected products distributed by Educational Colours Pty Ltd, sold under the Educational Colours (EC) brand, and ‘Kadink’, a brand owned and sold by Officeworks. Several coloured sand products associated with these brands may be impacted.

Until further test results become available a precautionary approach should be adopted.  Any coloured sand products purchased with the Educational Colours and Kadink brand should be identified and, at this stage considered as potentially impacted.

The coloured sand products in which asbestos has been identified are as follows:

• Kadink 6 x 10g coloured decorative sand (all colours)
• Kadink 1.3kg coloured sand
• Kadink 2kg coloured sand

Retail distributers are being traced and those businesses identified as having received affected sand  will be directed to immediately remove products from sale.

Action required

Based on current information, as a precaution businesses and persons who suspect they may have purchased any of these products are advised to take the following action:

• Cease using any potentially impacted sand products. Do not allow children or adults to play with or handle the affected sand.
• Isolate any materials or areas that may be affected. This may include:
  • securing products in sealed containers and moving to a secure location
  • blocking off access to areas where sand is located.
• Avoid sweeping, shovelling, vacuuming or disturbing any sand which has spread onto floors or other surfaces.
• For further advice on containment, safe handling and disposal contact a competent person such as a licensed asbestos assessor or licensed asbestos removalist. A list of these license holders in Queensland is available.
• Not all coloured sand products are affected - contact your supplier for further information regarding your product.

This matter is being investigated by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland and other agencies. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

If required, any information regarding product recalls of consumer goods will be provided by the ACCC.