The recalled sand products. Photo: Supplied
An asbestos removal company is working around the clock following a recall of play sand products over asbestos contamination concerns.
The coloured sand, sold at Kmart, was shown to have low levels of a naturally occuring asbestos.
Jason Catterall told Morning Report he's been flooded with calls from emotional parents and schools wanting help.
"Oh my goodness, we have been so snowed under with enquiries. The whole industry is essentially on fire at the moment.
"The last thing you need to hear is that there are risks around your children's health and so we've had a lot of phone calls directly from parents ... it's a very worrying time."
He said asbestos testing at schools was underway, which was a massive process. He said many were getting precautionary cleaning, regardless of the results.
Catterall said it was important to note that not all the sand was contaminated, and that positive results were for low levels.
"You have to remember that asbestos has been part of the New Zealand life for decades. A lot of our buildings are built using asbestos products and that it can be managed."
He said assessors would be undertaking initial air testing, since the main risk came from asbestos fibres being inhaled, and sticky tape-testing on surfaces.
If results came back positive from the lab, that's when his team got called in, he said.
"We're doing clean-ups on schools day and night at the moment, we've got several crews out working essentially 24 hours a day to get it under control."
He said the actual cleaning was a difficult and laborious process, requiring specialist vacuum cleaners and decontamination units for crews to "suit up" in, then wet-wiping every single hard surface, and removing porous surfaces as contaminated waste where required.
The assessor then returned to check the work, he said.
Catterall did not recommend DIY cleaning efforts, as it could risk spreading any contaminants.
"If you have come into contact with it [sand products] outside the school environment. Don't do anything, keep the area clean, do not vacuum and get some professional advice."
Tests of more products
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is widening its net to test products similar to play sand currently being recalled.
Quartz-based sand from Education Colours, Creatistics and Anko have been found to be contaminated with tremolite, a naturally occurring type of asbestos.
About 40 schools and early childcare centres have closed, or planned to, because of the contamination fears.
MBIE's product safety spokesperson Ian Caplin said the ministry and other agencies were proactively testing samples from other similar products available in New Zealand.
"We are expecting to receive further results later this week and will update our partners and New Zealanders as they are received," he said.
"In the meantime, our advice is that when in doubt, take a cautious approach and dispose of sand in accordance with the guidance on Health NZ and WorkSafe's websites."
Caplin said anyone who found sand products positive with asbestos after independent testing should send copies of the test report to recalls@mbie.govt.nz so the ministry could begin the recall process.
It comes after a West Auckland school notified families its play sand had tested positive, after previously saying they did not have any of the products on the recall list.
Matipo School in Te Atatu Peninsula wrote to parents saying it was testing other types of sand used for art activities as a precaution.
The school set out steps including independent testing, isolating and temporarily closing affected class rooms, and ensuring there was no access to the sand until it was confirmed safe.
However, Principal Jonnie Black wrote to members of the school community to say a small number of samples tested had returned positive results.
"I want to reassure our community that there is no immediate risk, and we are following all recommended Ministry of Education and health and safety procedures," he said.
"Affected classrooms have been temporarily relocated while we complete air-quality testing and arrange professional decontamination of those spaces."
Students were safe, well supervised and settled in alternative learning areas, he said.
Black said they had asked the families of specific classes to seal and return any sand-based artwork, so it could be disposed of safely and appropriately.
"This step is part of the national precautionary process to ensure full compliance with safety guidelines."
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