More than 70 ACT public schools closed over health fears from asbestos-contaminated children’s play sand

Education directorate closed schools for assessment and cleaning despite assessing health risk as ‘low’

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More than 70 public schools in the ACT were closed on Monday as fears grew over children’s play sand products that may contain asbestos.

The territory’s education directorate decided to shut their doors after it found “widespread” use of coloured play sand products sold at Kmart and Target, which were recalled on the weekend.