The Northern Territory Government is reassuring Territorians that all NT government schools remain open, with no school closures required, following the national recall of several children's coloured sand products.
Air testing undertaken at 10 school sites has returned clear results, with no airborne or respirable asbestos detected. The risk to human health remains low.
National scientific testing, together with testing undertaken in Territory schools, indicates that some products may contain tremolite and/or chrysotile, both naturally occurring forms of asbestos. Importantly, respirable asbestos fibres have not been detected in any tested samples. The release of airborne fibres is considered unlikely unless the sand is mechanically crushed or pulverised.
The Department of Education and Training has informed early childhood education and care (ECEC) services, non-government schools, government schools, parents and carers about the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) recall affecting several brands of coloured sand.
NT WorkSafe has advised that the risk is low, and the Department continues to act under the guidance of NT WorkSafe and licensed asbestos contractors.
Updated product recall information is available at https://worksafe.nt.gov.au/forms-and-resources/safety-alerts/updated-product-safety-recall-coloured-sand-contaminated-with-asbestos
Actions taken in schools and early childhood services
The Department of Education and Training has provided advice and support to schools and ECEC services on the containment, testing and disposal of the recalled products.
All air testing undertaken at government school sites has returned clear results.
There will be no government school closures, and there are no notified closures in the non-government school sector.
A total of 44 government school sites have reported holding sealed product requiring disposal. A further 23 schools have identified unsealed product; affected rooms have been contained and will reopen once cleaning is completed by approved contractors.
Two ECEC services will close on Monday 17 November to allow for cleaning:
• Palmerston Christian College Early Learning Centre
• Marrara Christian College Early Learning Centre
Four government schools will implement alternative learning programs on Monday 17 November while disposal and cleaning occur:
• Nightcliff Primary School
• Girraween Primary School
• Humpty Doo Primary School
• Driver Primary School
The Department continues to support schools and ECEC services with communications to families.
Acting Chief Health Officer Vicki Krause said the recall was a precautionary action.
"Based on the current available information, the health risk is low," she said.
"At this stage, there is no need for those who may have been in contact with this product to undertake a clinical assessment.
"Further comprehensive scientific testing is being undertaken at a national level and once we have these results, we will be able to update the assessment of risk and provide updated health advice if required. "In the meantime, Territorians are asked to stop using any of the coloured sand products and dispose of them appropriately."
Disposal information
For safe disposal options, Territorians can visit asbestos.nt.gov.au/removing-asbestos here or the Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency's national disposal facility search tool at
asbestossafety.gov.au/who-contact/search-disposal-facilities here
