WA schools asbestos sand: Premier Roger Cook says no need for school closures despite 76 schools affected

West Australian Premier Roger Cook has revealed 76 schools have purchased the coloured sand product recalled because it contained asbestos, but said there was no need to shut the schools down.

“The Chief Health Officer has been working with the Department of Education to advise those schools about how they can respond to any risks that they might entail,” Cook said.

Fifteen public schools in Canberra were closed on Friday after traces of asbestos were detected in decorative coloured sand products. Credit: ACCC

“Our view is that they can be managed inside the school environment, and that the schools are talking to both their parent groups, but also to the Department of Education on how they can now remediate and respond to that particular product report.”

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