Nearly 250 schools and early learning services have sent queries to the Ministry of Education after a brand of coloured play sand had been found to contain asbestos.

The ministry’s leader of operations and integration, Sean Teddy, said it had received queries from approximately 150 schools and 90 early learning services after the recall of four products – the 14-piece sandcastle building set and the blue, green and pink Magic Sand sets.

The coloured sand products sold by Kmart NZ have tested positive for tremolite asbestos, prompting last week’s urgent recall notice from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).

Two coloured sand products have been recalled over asbestos contamination fears. Photo / Supplied

Several schools have closed today as a precaution while they undergo testing.

Rolleston’s Clearview Primary shared on Facebook said it would be closed today, tomorrow and possibly Wednesday while its spaces were professionally tested.

Teddy said he appreciated that parents and caregivers would be anxious and urged anyone concerned to contact Healthline for advice.

“We have sent out advice to schools and early learning services via special bulletins on Saturday afternoon. And we followed up on Sunday afternoon with an alert to all schools and early learning services, pointing them to the bulletins.

“We are working closely with MBIE and WorkSafe to provide schools and early learning services with advice on testing, remediation and closure decisions.”

Kmart NZ Magic Sands products are being recalled after asbestos was detected. They are the the 14-piece Sandcastle Building Set, at left, and the Blue, Green and Pink Magic Sand sets. Photo / Screengrab via Kmart recall notice

He said a fuller update on the number of schools that closed today would be provided this afternoon.

Teddy previously said officials had alerted schools and early learning services to advise them to take a precautionary approach, stop using the products immediately and notify the ministry if the product is in use at their location.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment said the products were also sold at retailers, including Paper Plus, Hobby Land, NZ School Shop, Office Products Depot, Discount Office, Acquire and Qizzle.

Two coloured sand products have been recalled over asbestos contamination fears. Photo / Supplied

MBIE also said the sands could have been sold online.

“We are taking immediate precautionary action, while we establish the extent and risk of the potentially contaminated product,” said MBIE product safety spokesman Ian Caplin.

“We urge anyone who has bought these products, either for personal use or potential use in a workplace, to act immediately.

“Stop using the sand, contain it, secure it in a safe place and arrange for safe disposal through licensed professionals; a list of these is available on the WorkSafe website.”

Affected products under recall notice:

EC Rainbow Sand (1.3kg) – previously recalled

Creatistics Coloured Sand (1kg) – previously recalled

14-piece Sandcastle Building Set (Batch no: 42975724)

Blue Magic Sand (Batch no: 42304364)

Green Magic Sand (Batch no: 432919650)

Pink Magic Sand (Batch no: 42304371)

Immediate advice for consumers:

Stop using the product immediately.

Don’t let children touch or play with the sand.

Place the sand in a sealed container, then double-bag in thick plastic, seal with tape, and clearly label as “Asbestos-Contaminated Material”.

Don’t dispose of it in household rubbish or vacuum it up. Contact your local council for advice on where and how to dispose of the contaminated material safely.

Refer to the clean-up and disposal instructions in this Health NZ webpage.

Once the product is secure, people should contact their retailer for a refund under the Consumer Guarantees Act.

For further advice call the MBIE Consumer line 0508 426 678.