\u201cI think he\u2019s probably going to be fine, but just to be safe, I\u2019m going to have him checked. If he was coughing, I\u2019d probably be a lot more freaked out. <\/p>\n
\u201cAny messy toys like that I would always put him in his highchair and always wipe it down, but you don\u2019t expect it to be hazardous material.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ward said she\u2019s seen a lot of people saying they\u2019re angry about the situation.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re pretty angry that it could somehow get into a children\u2019s product without being noticed.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe fact that it was in there and we don\u2019t know how long it\u2019s been.\u201d<\/p>\n
The coloured sand products sold by Kmart NZ have tested positive for tremolite asbestos, prompting yesterday\u2019s urgent recall notice from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).<\/p>\n
It comes after another recall this week for other coloured sand products, used by more than 60 schools and early childhood centres.<\/p>\n
That recall notice was for EC Rainbow Sand and Creatistics \u2013 Coloured Sand, which had been sold at retailers including Paper Plus, Hobby Land, NZ School Shop, Office Products Depot, Discount Office, Acquire and Qizzle.<\/p>\n
MBIE understood the presence of asbestos in products used by children would be concerning, its product safety spokesman Ian Caplin said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe urge families who have purchased these products to stop using them immediately, secure them safely, and contact your local council for advice on where and how to dispose of the contaminated material safely.\u201d<\/p>\n
Associate Professor at Auckland University of Technology and asbestos researcher Dr Terri-Ann Berry said she appreciates how concerning the situation is.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s incredibly upsetting and I totally understand why parents are worried. Being exposed is something that you try your best to avoid, but it doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019re going to develop cancer. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt is horrible and it is horrific and we don\u2019t want people to take it lightly. We want people to go and dispose of it properly and not put anyone else at risk. <\/p>\n
Two coloured sand products have been recalled over asbestos contamination fears. Photo \/ Supplied<\/p>\n
\u201cBut at the same time, you know, just remember that you can be exposed and not develop cancer from exposure to asbestos.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd if you went down, you know, a main road in a city and you tried to detect asbestos, you would detect fibres because they are part of our environment,\u201d Berry said.<\/p>\n
Chris Saunders, owner of HazMat and president of the New Zealand Asbestos Removal Association, said his advice to parents was \u201cdon\u2019t panic\u201d.<\/p>\n
Saunders said asbestos appears to have a \u201ccumulative effect\u201d as opposed to being something where you breathe in one or two fibres and instantly have a problem.<\/p>\n
Saunders echoed Berry\u2019s point that asbestos was part of our environment. <\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone is exposed to some asbestos, whether it\u2019s intentional or not. It\u2019s prevalent in our building stock. So it\u2019s something that can\u2019t be avoided, but what can be done is minimising exposure as much as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n
Saunders said parents should follow the advice and leave the sand in place if already in a container. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve picked up a couple of containers that have just been left out by the front porch for us to collect, from parents who have identified having these products. <\/p>\n
\u201cBut if it\u2019s poured all out across the back deck and the kids have been playing there, then exclude yourself from that area, and seek advice from an asbestos removal contractor.\u201d<\/p>\n
In this situation, Saunders suggested testing for asbestos. <\/p>\n
\u201cI would recommend testing it first, so you don\u2019t end up spending a fortune or going through all the angst of a massive clean when you actually didn\u2019t have to.\u201d<\/p>\n
Berry said people should do their best to follow the disposal instructions. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou want to get rid of it as soon as you possibly can but don\u2019t put it in the bin, because that just puts other people at risk.\u201d <\/p>\n
Ward wished officials had provided clearer guidance around disposal.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt just said, contact your local council to figure out how to dispose of it. We\u2019re all going to be on hold!\u201d<\/p>\n
– Full details of the recalled products and advice from MBIE is available in this article<\/a>.<\/p>\n