Recall expanded: samples of Kmart Magic Sand merchandise discovered to comprise asbestos

Independent testing commissioned by the Faculty of Asbestos Management of Australia and New Zealand (FAMANZ) has recognized 4 further colored sand merchandise bought by Kmart NZ that examined optimistic for tremolite asbestos – the 14-piece Sandcastle Building Set and the Blue, Green and Pink Magic Sand units.

“We appreciate that the presence of asbestos in products that are used by children will be concerning to parents and caregivers. We 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,” says Ian Caplin, MBIE Product Safety Spokesperson.

“If you are a workplace, where you may have higher volumes of these products or more people may have come in contact with the products, you should contact a licensed asbestos assessor or removalist for immediate advice and support on your specific situation. A list of these is available on the Worksafe website.”

“This is consistent with the advice provided following a similar product recall issued on Wednesday 12 November,” says Mr Caplin.

“We appreciate the urgency with which Kmart has acted and issued the recall.  It’s great to see the supplier taking quick action around children’s safety issues.”

“Proactive testing of a range of similar products is underway, so at this point we cannot say for certain if these are the only products that are contaminated,” says Mr Caplin.

“Asbestos is a critical well being hazard and we’re working with the Ministry of Health, Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora, the Ministry of Education and WorkSafe to offer steering for customers and workplaces that will have bought these merchandise.

“The health risk is all about exposure over time but if households take a few simple steps to dispose of the product properly, you will be minimising the risk,” says Mr Caplin.

“If you or your child have used the product, there is no need for urgent medical attention. Discuss any health concerns with your GP, healthcare provider or Healthline 0800 611 116.”

Products recognized

• EC Rainbow Sand (1.3kg) – beforehand recalled
• Creatistics Coloured Sand (1kg) – beforehand recalled
• Four magic sand merchandise bought at Kmart NZ:
  • 14-piece Sand Castle Building Set (Batch no: 42975724)
  • Blue Magic Sand (Batch no: 42304364)
  • Green Magic Sand (Batch no: 432919650)
  • Pink Magic Sand (Batch no: 42304371)

Testing was undertaken by Accurate Consulting. Full certificates can be found on request.

Immediate recommendation for customers

• Stop utilizing the product instantly.
• Do not let kids contact or play with the sand.
• Place the sand in a sealed container, then double-bag in thick plastic, seal with tape, and clearly label as “Asbestos-Contaminated Material.”
• Do not get rid of in family garbage or vacuum it up. Contact your native council for recommendation on the place and learn how to get rid of the contaminated materials safely.
• Refer to the clean-up and disposal directions within the Health NZ webpage right here: Asbestos in sand(external link)
• Once safe, we encourage individuals to contact your retailer for a refund underneath the Consumer Guarantees Act.
• For additional recommendation name the MBIE Consumer line 0508 426 678.

Immediate recommendation for workplaces

• If the sand is in a sealed container, transfer it to a safe location away from individuals.
• If the sand is at the moment being utilized in your office, please instruct everybody to depart the realm, block it off and ensure it isn’t accessible. Do not vacuum or sweep flooring the place there may be sand, or try to scrub it up.
• Contact a licensed asbestos assessor or removalist for fast recommendation and assist in your particular state of affairs. Details of Class A licensed removalists can be found within the Asbestos Removal Licence Holders Register: Asbestos removal licence holders – Online services(external link). Do not return to the affected space till the extent of contamination is established, and after the realm is remediated by an professional.
• If people are at the moment utilizing the sand, they need to put it down and relocate to a sand-free, well-ventilated space.
• If you might be an academic facility and have recognized that the sand has been used at your web site, please notify the Ministry of Education.
• All clothes worn throughout publicity should be disposed of as asbestos waste as a part of private decontamination.

Health dangers

• Asbestos is a confirmed substance that may improve your threat of growing most cancers (carcinogen). All types of asbestos may cause most cancers.
• The most important means individuals are uncovered to asbestos is by inhaling air that accommodates asbestos fibres.
• Asbestos causes most cancers in a dose-dependent method. You have a higher threat of growing an asbestos-related illness relying on:
  • how a lot publicity to asbestos you had,
  • the size of time you had been uncovered to asbestos.
• There has been no ‘protected’ decrease restrict of publicity recognized with certainty. All publicity is believed so as to add to the general threat of illness improvement. But the chance from a single, low-level publicity is taken into account to be extraordinarily low.
• For well being recommendation, contact Healthline 0800 611 116 or go to data.well being.nz.

Further Information

For additional recommendation name the MBIE Consumer MBIE Consumer line 0508 426 678