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

<p>Education directorate closed schools for assessment and cleaning despite assessing health risk as ‘low’</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/nov/17/australia-news-live-schools-act-asbestos-education-sand-coalition-climate-energy-net-zero-sussan-ley-leadership-challenge-andrew-hastie-liberals-nationals-ntwnfb">Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates</a></p></li><li><p>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></p></li></ul><p>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.</p><p>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.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/nov/17/more-than-70-act-public-schools-closed-over-health-fears-from-asbestos-contaminated-childrens-play-sand">Continue reading...</a>