Nearly 70 schools in Australia have temporarily closed after play sand they used was found to contain asbestos.

Tests of the colourful sand showed it contained tremolite asbestos, a naturally occurring form of the substance, which nevertheless could still be hazardous.

Asbestos is banned because inhaling its fibres can lead to respiratory cancers, and exposure to it is the biggest cause of work-related deaths in the UK.

On November 12, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) issued a recall notice of the play sand, which was made by Educational Colours and sold at mainstream stores in the country such as Officeworks.

Over a dozen schools and preschools were closed on Friday, but since then another recall of play sand was issued, this time sold by Kmart and Target. Thi

See Full Page