Toxic Toys Create Global Outrage
With a profound sense of déjà-vu, we have been reading about yet another asbestos scandal which has closed schools throughout Australia. In January 2024, schools and parks were closed in New South Wales after the discovery that asbestos-contaminated mulch had been used to landscape school premises and urban spaces.1 In the days which followed, it was found that sites in other states had also been affected. Roll on two years and the announcement that asbestos had been found in colored sand used by primary schoolchildren sent the country into meltdown with scores of articles, news reports and widespread parental panic.2
The asbestos contamination of multiple brands of sand-based products, exported from China, was confirmed by tests carried out by state and federal authorities:
- the Australian Consumer and Competition Commission (ACCC) said the products “may contain tremolite asbestos;”
- WorkSafe Queensland – Queensland’s occupational health and safety watchdog –said they “contain a low level of tremolite and/or chrysotile asbestos;”
- WorkSafe ACT – the workplace safety regulator for the Australian Capital Territory – said that products sold under the brand name Kandink Sand were found to contain chrysotile asbestos.3
The story escalated after the ACCC’s first media release on November 12, 2025; two more releases followed, naming other contaminated sand products.4 The New Zealand Government added fuel to the fire with its November 12, 2025 statement:
“The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has been notified that a voluntary recall is underway for recall of EC Rainbow Sand (1.3kg) and Creatistics – Coloured Sand (1kg) due to potential asbestos contamination. ‘We are taking immediate precautionary action, while we establish the extent and risk of the potentially contaminated product’ says Ian Caplin, Product Safety Spokesperson (MBIE). ‘We urge anyone who has bought these products, either for personal use or use in a workplace to act immediately. Stop using the sand, contain it, secure it in a safe place and arrange for safe disposal through licensed professionals, a list of these is available on the WorkSafe website.’
Independent testing in Australia has confirmed asbestos contamination in similar products. While testing of New Zealand product is ongoing, as a precautionary measure, the company Educational Colours has issued a recall notice. ‘Asbestos is a serious health hazard and we are working with Health New Zealand, Te Whatu Ora, the Ministry of Education and WorkSafe to provide guidance for consumers and workplaces which may have bought these products.’”5
The toxic products named by the New Zealand authorities were:
- supplied by Educational Colours (EC) and sold at three outlets between January 2021 and October 2025;
- sold nationwide by Kmart stores between October 24, 2015 and November 15, 2025;
- marketed by SDL Trading Limited T/A Superdeal Trading Company from April 2021-November 2025.
The discovery of the contamination in New Zealand sent the story ballistic with news of this escalating public health crisis also reported in France, Japan, the UK, Australia, Italy, China, Ireland, Korea Turkey, Russia etc.6 According to an AI search on Google Chrome:
“The scandal, which became a major news story in November 2025, has generated hundreds, if not thousands, of news reports, opinion pieces, and social media discussions. Key media outlets like Reuters, the BBC, The New York Times, The Guardian, and others have all published multiple articles… Because new developments and related stories emerge daily, the total number of articles is constantly growing.”7
Considering that China is the UK’s biggest supplier of consumer goods, on November 19, 2025, I did a web search for the asbestos-contaminated products named by the Australian and New Zealand authorities and found a listing on Amazon UK for Educational Colours (EC) Rainbow Sand (1.3 kg) which was marketed as “non-toxic, non-staining sand,” which had been “made in Australia.”8
 Screenshot showing EC Rainbow Sand on sale on Amazon UK. |
 The Amazon UK listing for Educational Colours (EC) Rainbow Sand (1.3 kg) said that it was “non-toxic” and had been “made in Australia.” |
The same product in varying colors is pictured on the ACCC website is (below).
 One of the asbestos-contaminated products identified by the Australian authorities. |
The Amazon listing showed that this product was “currently unavailable,” but no doubt parents and teachers would be very interested in knowing when and to whom this product was sold and for how long it was available. Asbestos victims’ campaigners, health and safety advisors, journalists and Members of Parliament have been urged to make enquiries about the sale of this and similar products. In the meantime, colleagues in the US, Brazil, Korea and elsewhere are undertaking their own investigations.
November 21, 2025
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1 Rose, T. & McLeod, C. Sydney asbestos crisis: largest EPA probe ever with hundreds of sites potentially contaminated. February 15, 2024.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/feb/15/nsw-sydney-asbestos-friable-mulch-crisis-parks-sites-list-contaminated-epa
2 Wikipedia. Sydney asbestos crisis. Accessed November 20, 2025.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sydney_asbestos_crisis
Kazan-Allen, L. Australian Scandal Grows amidst Global Confirmation of Asbestos Hazard. February 21, 2024.
https://ibasecretariat.org/lka-australian-scandal-grows-amdist-confirmation-of-asbestos-hazard.php
3 Oliver, B. Asbestos has been found in children’s coloured sand. What’s the risk to kids? November 14, 2025.
https://theconversation.com/asbestos-has-been-found-in-childrens-coloured-sand-whats-the-risk-to-kids-269796
4 Australia ACCC. Customers warned of recalled children’s sand due to asbestos risks. November 12, 2025.
https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/customers-warned-of-recalled-children%E2%80%99s-sand-due-to-asbestos-risks
5 New Zealand Government. Recall of EC Rainbow Sand and Creatistics – Coloured Sand (1.3kg) due to potential asbestos contamination. November 12, 2025.
https://www.mbie.govt.nz/about/news/recall-of-ec-rainbow-sand-and-creatistics-coloured-sand-1-3kg-due-to-potential-asbestos-contamination
6 澳洲石棉玩具沙重大公共安全卫生事件浅析与对中国家长的警示 [Analysis of major public safety and health incidents related to asbestos toy sand in Australia and warnings to Chinese parents]. November 18, 2025.
https://finance.sina.com.cn/roll/2025-11-18/doc-infxvtut4397489.shtml
7 The question posed to Chrome AI was: “how many articles were there about Australia and New Zealand asbestos sand scandal.”
8 Amazon UK. Educational Colours Rainbow Sand 1.3 Kg, Red. Accessed November 20 [but page unavailable by November 21] 2025.
https://www.amazon.com/Educational-Colours-Rainbow-Sand-1-3/dp/B095CDZSBV
