Several schools in lockdown after disturbing find in play sand

Nearly 70 schools in Australia have had to temporarily close

Tests of the colourful play sand revealed that it contained tremolite asbestos. Despite it being a naturally occurring form of the substance, it still could be hazardous.

Asbestos is banned due to its fibres, as inhaling them can lead to respiratory cancers.

Exposure to it is the biggest cause of work-related death in the UK.

Last week, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) issued a recall notice of the play sand.

The sand was manufactured by Educational Colours and sold at mainstream stores in the country, such as Officeworks.

Over a dozen schools and preschools were closed on Friday, however, since then, another recall of play sand has been issued.

This time, the sand was sold by Kmart and Target, and was found to be even more widely used.

69 schools are closed today while air testing takes place, any identified sand will be removed.

Australian Capital Territory Education Minister Yvette Berry told the Australian broadcaster ABC: "This means people [have been] walking through classrooms, corridors and store rooms looking for coloured sand, and mapping what they see."

Asbestos contractors will be called in to "test, remediate and clear the spaces for use again," she added, while stressing that the risk was low and air testing had so far been negative.

ACT Education Directorate director-general Jo Wood said: "I know this is going to create a lot of disruption because so many in our community are impacted. I ask that everyone be understanding of this as we work through this."

The recall warned: "The product may cause a risk to health as asbestos has been detected in some samples after laboratory testing.

"Importantly, respirable asbestos has not been detected in any of the tested samples. The release of respirable asbestos fibres is unlikely to occur in its current state, unless the sand is processed by mechanical means such as crushing or pulverising."