Some schools still shut after Australia detects asbestos in lab test

By Saadet Gokce

ISTANBUL (AA) Some schools were still shut in Australia on Tuesday as cleaning continued after asbestos was detected in colored sand in a chance lab discovery.

Seventy schools were shut down on Monday in the Australian Capital Territory after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission recalled the products due to positive asbestos findings, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).

Of the 70 schools, 25 remained closed entirely and 16 partially closed on Tuesday. More schools in Canberra are expected to reopen on Wednesday as the products are removed from education institutions.

The discovery was “just by chance” and was quickly communicated to regulators, said Robert McAllister, a director at the Faculty of Asbestos Management of Australia and New Zealand.

More than 20 schools across New Zealand were also closed earlier after multiple brands of colored play sand were found to contain asbestos.

The sand was reported to have been sourced from China. Beijing said on Tuesday that local Australian companies had stated they were in contact with suppliers to resolve the issue.

Asbestos is a group of mineral fibers with widespread historical and current commercial uses. Exposure can lead to severe illness and death, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

More than 200,000 deaths globally every year are linked to asbestos exposure, the WHO says.