Asbestos in sand
Find out how to clean up and dispose of sand products that have been recalled because testing has confirmed they contain asbestos. There is no need for urgent medical attention if you have one of these sand products at home, but you should stop using them straight away.
Health risks from asbestos in sand
We appreciate that the presence of asbestos in products that are used by children is concerning for parents and caregivers.
Exposure to asbestos does not cause any immediate health problems. The health conditions linked to asbestos develop over a long period – typically many years.
The risk of developing asbestos-related health conditions, such as some types of cancer and lung disease, is linked to the nature and quantity of asbestos and the length of time a person was exposed to it.
There is no safe level and therefore we try to avoid all exposure.
For most people who have these products at home, the quantities involved will be small. That is very different to the greater risk for people who might be exposed during construction work or through the mining industry.
Immediate steps
- If you or your child has used the product, there is no need for urgent medical attention. Discuss any concerns with Healthline on 0800 611 116 who will advise if you or your child needs to see a healthcare professional for review.
- Avoid further exposure by removing the product safely.
Clean up and disposal - Reduce or stop smoking, as tobacco smoke increases risk after asbestos exposure.
Find a stop smoking service — Smokefreeexternal link
Clean up and disposal
The below clean up advice should be used for the home environment only.
Education facilities and workplaces need to follow removal advice provided by WorkSafe. Prolonged exposure to asbestos, which is most common in places of work, causes the greatest risk to individuals.
A licenced asbestos removalist can be contacted to undertake removal of asbestos containing material, including sand products, but will come with a cost. The below disposal advice is aimed at eliminating exposure to the product in the home environment with as little risk as possible.
For products in original containers
Place container into a thick plastic bag and seal it securely with tape.
Place that bag or container into a second thick plastic bag, seal it securely with tape, and label it clearly as “Asbestos-Contaminated Material.”
Disposal
Material found to contain asbestos, including sand, needs to be disposed of at an appropriate landfill site and should not be placed with your normal household rubbish.
Contact your local authority to find out about local options for safe disposal of sand. Do not drop sand at council facilities unless advised by the council.
The product can be stored in its container, double bagged and taped shut, out of reach of children (preferably outside of the house in the garden shed or garage) until disposal.
If this sand product is not in its original container, follow the safety advice below.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Wear a P2 or N95 mask over your nose and mouth.
- Wear disposable gloves while cleaning up or handling material containing asbestos.
- Avoid getting the sand on your clothes whilst cleaning up. If needed, wear old clothes that can be disposed after cleaning or wear disposable overalls. If clothes or other fabrics are contaminated (or possibly contaminated) with asbestos fibres, you should dispose of them instead of washing them.
- Dispose of used cleaning cloths, gloves, masks, and any other PPE in the same sealed and labelled bag as the material found to contain asbestos.
Containing the sand
- Lightly wet the sand to prevent dust from generating.
- Transfer the sand into a sealed container or a thick plastic bag.
- Place that bag or container into a second thick plastic bag, seal it securely with tape, and label it clearly as “Asbestos Contaminated Material.”
Cleaning areas
- Wipe down all surrounding surfaces with a damp cloth to remove any residual dust or sand particles.
Toys and play equipment
- Wash any toys or play equipment with a damp cloth if they have been in contact with the sand.
- If sand cannot be completely removed from an item, dispose of it safely with the material found to contain asbestos.
Carpets and furnishings
- If sand or dust is present on carpets or soft furnishings, wipe with a damp cloth to remove as much material as possible.
- Do not use a vacuum cleaner, as this may spread asbestos fibres around the area. Contact a licensed asbestos contractor if you are unsure you are able to effectively clean carpet or furnishings sufficiently.
- Consider contacting a licensed asbestos removalist for large asbestos cleaning jobs.
After cleaning
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after completing the cleanup and removing your PPE.
If you have been in contact with coloured sand that contains asbestos
No. There is no immediate need to go to a doctor. Exposure to asbestos does not cause any immediate health problems. The health conditions linked to asbestos develop over a long period.
The risk of developing asbestos-related health conditions, such as asbestosis and mesothelioma, is linked to the quantity of asbestos and the length of time a person was exposed to it.
There is no safe level of exposure to asbestos and therefore we advise avoiding all contact with sand containing asbestos. This is precautionary until we have further information about the material. However, based on currently available information, there is a low risk to health.
There is no consistent evidence that eaten (ingested) asbestos is a health concern. The greatest health concern arises if the sand:
- is disturbed
- is broken down further
- creates dust that can be breathed in.
Sand containing asbestos will only be dangerous if asbestos fibres are released into the air and inhaled. The health concern arises if the sand:
- is disturbed
- is broken down further
- creates dust that can be breathed in.
Materials containing asbestos that have not been disturbed generally do not pose a risk.
When asbestos fibres are breathed in, they can become stuck in the lungs and damage the lung tissue. Over a long period of time, this can occasionally lead to conditions such as asbestosis and mesothelioma. These conditions are rare and most commonly happen after long-term inhalation of very small fibres, such as in those who have been exposed to asbestos in their work, for example, in the construction industry. Brief contact with asbestos is unlikely to be hazardous to health.
The health concern arises if the sand:
- is disturbed
- is broken down further
- creates dust that can be breathed in.
For cleaning up sand containing asbestos, wear a P2 or N95 mask over your nose and mouth. Wear disposable gloves while cleaning up or handling the material.
Health NZ has clear guidelines for households for handling and disposing sand that contains asbestos.
If it is not possible to wipe clean with a wet cloth, you may need a commercial grade HEPA vacuum cleaning. For more advice on this option, contact a licenced asbestos removalist.
Asbestos removal licence holders — Worksafeexternal link
It is very unlikely that asbestos fibres are present on soft toys and clothes. If you are concerned that clothes or other fabrics could be contaminated with asbestos fibres, you should dispose of them instead of washing them.
Domestic vacuum cleaners, even with a HEPA filter, are not recommended to clean up any asbestos. If a wet cloth is not sufficient for wiping up the sand, you may need a commercial grade HEPA vacuum cleaner. For more advice on this option, contact a licenced asbestos removalist.
Asbestos removal licence holders — Worksafeexternal link
Advice for workplaces, such as schools, is different from advice for households.
This reflects that workplaces are likely to involve larger quantities of products containing asbestos, used by more people, and more often. In most cases, household use of this product will involve smaller quantities with fewer people exposed.
Businesses and organisations also have health and safety obligations under the law and are required to manage their health and safety risks in line with legislation or specific regulations, such as asbestos regulations.
For households, we are taking a proportionate approach to the risk and providing people with advice that provides practical steps for reducing the risk of exposure immediately.
If individual households feel that they have a large quantity of this product in the house that may need professional help to handle, we suggest they contact the MBIE Consumer line 0508 426 678 for further advice.