Schools closed because of asbestos-contaminated coloured sand

@JudyEv (365621)
Rockingham, Australia
November 18, 2025 1:33am CST
The photo has nothing to do with the post. It’s a one-lane bridge on a country road. We once drove over this many years ago when it was in flood and there were no guiderails on the sides. There has been a bit of a panic in the schools in our eastern states. I haven’t heard of any closures in Western Australia. Coloured sand that has been used in school playgrounds in the ACT (Australian Capital Territory) in particular, has been found to be contaminated by asbestos, resulting in a number of school closures. There are also several school closures in each of Tasmania and South Australia. It could take days for professionals to clean away the asbestos. The article doesn’t say how the sand came to be contaminated.
7 people like this
8 responses
Rimps
@Rimps85 (2846)
• India
18 Nov
that will create breathing issues definitely...
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (365621)
• Rockingham, Australia
18 Nov
Many of the parents are quite worried about the effects on their children.
1 person likes this
Rimps
@Rimps85 (2846)
• India
18 Nov
@JudyEv they might have to use mist cannon to arrest those suspended particles in the air...
1 person likes this
LindaOH
@LindaOHio (206315)
• United States
18 Nov
That's terrible. I'm glad they caught it.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (365621)
• Rockingham, Australia
18 Nov
I don't how they found the first indications of it but it's good they know about it now.
1 person likes this
May2k8
@May2k8 (19252)
• Indonesia
18 Nov
it's good they acted quickly to close the school, hopefully they find out what caused it.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (365621)
• Rockingham, Australia
18h
Hopefully it won't take too long to clean or remove the sand.
1 person likes this
Anna
@LadyDuck (487356)
• Italy
18 Nov
This is quite worrying. I am sure that it will be a pretty long process to clean away the asbestos.
1 person likes this
Anna
@LadyDuck (487356)
• Italy
11h
@JudyEv - I imagine it's not going to be quickly done.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (365621)
• Rockingham, Australia
18h
It might be a very lengthy process indeed.
1 person likes this
DE
@DaddyEvil (161854)
• United States
18 Nov
If the company putting the sand down crushed their own rock to make the sand, asbestos could have been included by accident. Asbestos can occur naturally in rock strata. I hope it gets cleaned up quickly and nobody gets sick from the asbestos.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (365621)
• Rockingham, Australia
18 Nov
What you're saying about naturally-occurring asbestos could easily be the case here.
1 person likes this
DE
@DaddyEvil (161854)
• United States
18 Nov
@JudyEv I hope nobody would include asbestos on purpose.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (365621)
• Rockingham, Australia
18h
@DaddyEvil An article today says it was found by accident during some routine testing.
1 person likes this
Fiacre Banks
@xFiacre (14077)
• Ireland
18 Nov
@judyev That road and bridge photo is a lot more interesting than anyone might think. Take away the signage and guardrails and I’m plonked back down in 1960s Malawi.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (365621)
• Rockingham, Australia
18 Nov
It was a bit spooky back then with the water rushing underneath and a very simple support underneath our vehicle. Things have certainly changed over time.
snowy
@snowy22315 (198885)
• United States
18 Nov
Isn't that somethung? It is also worrying.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (365621)
• Rockingham, Australia
18 Nov
The furore has settled down a little but it would be worrying if you had kids at those schools.
Eva James
@wolfgirl569 (125128)
• Marion, Ohio
18 Nov
Glad they have them closed. That is dangerous stuff
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (365621)
• Rockingham, Australia
18 Nov
Yes, asbestos isn't to be treated lightly.
1 person likes this