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Contaminated children’s play sand sold in Australia can release toxic airborne asbestos, research finds

The Guardian World Wednesday 08 July 2026, 15:00 UTC By Catie McLeod Consumer affairs reporter 1 min read
Key Points

Exclusive New study contradicts statements that play products removed from shelves because of asbestos concerns were ‘low risk’Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastColourful children’s play sand that was sold in Australia while contaminated with asbestos can release hazardous airborne fibres of the toxic mineral, researchers have discovered. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and the lead researcher of the Auckland University of Technology (AUT)...

Exclusive New study contradicts statements that play products removed from shelves because of asbestos concerns were ‘low risk’

Colourful children’s play sand that was sold in Australia while contaminated with asbestos can release hazardous airborne fibres of the toxic mineral, researchers have discovered.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and the lead researcher of the Auckland University of Technology (AUT) study, which found 90% of craft sand samples released asbestos into the air when played with, confirmed the products had been sold in Australia.

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Australia (LOCATION) Exclusive New (ORG) The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ORG) ACCC (ORG) the Auckland University of Technology (ORG)
Originally published by The Guardian World Read original →

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