Children’s Coloured Sand Recalled Over Asbestos Contamination Fears

Two brands of children’s coloured sand — Rainbow Sand from Educational Colours and Creatistics Coloured Sand — have been urgently recalled across New Zealand after traces of Tremolite, a naturally occurring form of asbestos, were detected during laboratory testing.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has issued an immediate warning, urging anyone who has purchased the products to stop using them immediately.
“We are taking immediate precautionary action while we establish the extent and risk of the potentially contaminated product,” said MBIE product safety spokesperson Ian Caplin. “We urge anyone who has bought these products, either for personal use or in schools, to act immediately — stop using the sand, contain it securely, and arrange for safe disposal through licensed professionals.”

The affected products were sold through a range of major retailers, including Paper Plus, Hobby Land, NZ School Shop, Office Products Depot, Discount Office, Acquire, Qizzle, Modern Teaching Aids, Creative Classrooms Ltd, and ACME Supplies — as well as online.

Creatistics Coloured Sand is sold in various colours. Photo: Supplied / Product Safety NZ

⚠️ What Consumers Should Do

• Cease use immediately.

• Seal the sand in a closed container and store it safely away from people.

• Do not dispose of it in general rubbish.

• Contact a Class A licensed asbestos removalist for safe disposal — a list is available on the WorkSafe website.

• Reach out to the supplier to arrange a refund under the Consumer Guarantees Act.

Guidance for Schools and Educational Facilities

• If unopened, move the sand to a secure location away from people.

• If it’s currently in use, evacuate the area, block it off, and do not vacuum or sweep.

• Contact a licensed asbestos assessor or removalist for urgent support.

• Do not return until the area is professionally remediated.

• Notify the Ministry of Education if the sand has been used on-site and report what steps have been taken.

Decontamination

Those potentially exposed should contact a Class A asbestos removalist for personal decontamination advice.
Clothing worn during exposure should be treated as asbestos waste and disposed of safely.

While testing continues in New Zealand, similar products in Australia have also tested positive for asbestos contamination. MBIE said it is working with Health NZ, the Ministry of Education, and WorkSafe to ensure schools, retailers, and parents are informed and protected.