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Dozens of schools in Australia and New Zealand shut over asbestos risk in children's sand (www.stuff.co.nz)
submitted 11 months ago by to c/australia@aussie.zone
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The Australian Ministry of Education has confirmed the number of schools and early learning centres in contact over asbestos-contamination concerns has doubled - with seven closing.

Operations and integration lead Sean Teddy said five early learning services and two schools would close temporarily to allow licensed asbestos removalists to address possible contamination.

[...]

New Zealand's Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has also urged people to stop using the sand and arrange for safe disposal "through licensed professionals".

In New Zealand, the Ministry of Education said on Friday that five early learning services and two schools would close temporarily while licensed professionals addressed possible asbestos contamination, the country's RNZ reported.

[...]

Importing or exporting asbestos or goods containing asbestos is prohibited under both Australian and New Zealand law. Asbestos becomes dangerous when breathed in and can damage the lungs and cause diseases including cancer.

[...]

The BBC reports that the sand products were imported from China into Australia.

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[–] 2 points 11 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (1 child)

I thought playing in asbestos was an Australian tradition?

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  • [–] 2 points 10 months ago

    @Hawke

    When I was a kid, my parents renovated the Queenslander (an architectural style of house) we were living in.

    We had hundreds of asbestos sheets that had been removed and "needed" to be broken up for easier disposal.

    My brother and I "karate kicked" to pieces.

    There's more to the story, but I'm feeling a bit short of breath...

    @Hotznplotzn

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    • [–] 1 point 11 months ago (2 children)

    The Australian Ministry of Education? Surely this would have been one of the state ministries, wouldn’t it?

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  • [–] 0 points 10 months ago (1 child)

    @cammoblammo

    I didn't read that specific article, but there is this mob:
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Department/_of/Education/(Australia)

    @Hotznplotzn

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  • [–] 3 points 10 months ago

    Sure, there is a federal ministry.

    This sort of issue would be handled at the state level though. Every state (and territory) has its own Ministry of Education (or equivalent) and things like this would be handled that level.

    If we’re talking about seven schools, the jurisdiction most likely affected is the Australian Capital Territory. My own state, South Australia, has over 100 affected sites.

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