"The types of asbestos found in the play sand are chrysotile and tremolite. While less hazardous than blue asbestos, the infamous asbestos at Wittenoom, all types of asbestos can cause mesothelioma, (a rare lung cancer) and asbestosis (interstitial pulmonary fibrosis).

Tremorite, the predominant form found in these play sands, in particular, is rarely used industrially, but can be found in minerals like talc or vermiculite.

Asbestos typically causes lung issues and lung cancer from inhalation of the crystalline fibres that asbestos forms. Tremorite is typically in a non-fibrous form,unlike the fibrous blue asbestos, but exposure to any asbestos type will increase the likelihood of lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis.

The risk of asbestos-induced disease depends on duration of exposure and the amount of inhaled fibres. Typically, years of industrial exposure to fibres are associated with health risks. Light, short-term exposure rarely causes disease and one-off exposure is not a major risk.

We do not have any indication of actual levels of these asbestos forms in the play sand. However both Worksafe and The ACCC say these are trace levels (and/or present only in some samples).

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

What they presumably mean is that the fibrous form has not been detected. While the risk is low, precautions should be taken anyway. The ACCC has disposal recomendations on its website."

"The actions taken by the authorities are appropriate. i.e. a precautionary approach, given the uncertainties around the amount of asbestos contamination of the sand and its distribution. There were reports of both chrysotile and tremolite asbestos, but I think the origin of these would be different sources in the production process. (Tremolite has been associated with talcum powder – which is no longer present in baby powder products sold).

Due to particle size, asbestos in the sand is unlikely to be inhaled deeply into the lungs, and the airborne concentrations in actual use would be extremely low - below the limit of detection by normal means. This undetectable airborne concentration has been mentioned in media reports.

All of this gives considerable confidence in the risk being extremely low. Actions to close the entire school would be predicated on an assumption of widespread contamination. Each School would or should have a good understanding of its use/distribution, and so complete school closure doesn’t seem to be justified. Health risks do not seem to warrant any sort of clinical follow-up, even in the long term.

Australia is regarded as an international leader in the control of asbestos, and to some extent, a compromise on reasonable (or best practice) actions would be seen negatively by the international community."

“Any exposure to asbestos is best avoided, as there is no known safe level. However, in this situation, the amount of asbestos people may have been exposed to is extremely low—so low that it is not possible to measure or estimate any health risk.

While all forms of asbestos can be harmful, the type involved here (tremolite) is generally considered less hazardous than other types, such as blue or brown asbestos.

When asbestos dust is inhaled, the lungs will usually clear it out naturally. But smoking or vaping can interfere with this process, making it harder for the lungs to protect themselves. It’s important to avoid smoking and vaping, especially around children, to protect everyone’s lung health.”