The Australian Ministry of Education has confirmed the number of schools and early learning centres in contact over asbestos-contamination concerns has doubled - with seven closing.
Operations and integration lead Sean Teddy said five early learning services and two schools would close temporarily to allow licensed asbestos removalists to address possible contamination.
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New Zealand’s Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has also urged people to stop using the sand and arrange for safe disposal “through licensed professionals”.
In New Zealand, the Ministry of Education said on Friday that five early learning services and two schools would close temporarily while licensed professionals addressed possible asbestos contamination, the country’s RNZ reported.
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Importing or exporting asbestos or goods containing asbestos is prohibited under both Australian and New Zealand law. Asbestos becomes dangerous when breathed in and can damage the lungs and cause diseases including cancer.
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The BBC reports that the sand products were imported from China into Australia.
I thought playing in asbestos was an Australian tradition?
@Hawke
When I was a kid, my parents renovated the Queenslander (an architectural style of house) we were living in.
We had hundreds of asbestos sheets that had been removed and “needed” to be broken up for easier disposal.
My brother and I “karate kicked” to pieces.
There’s more to the story, but I’m feeling a bit short of breath…
@Hotznplotzn