A growing asbestos contamination scare has led to widespread school closures in New Zealand and Australia, raising concerns over the safety of children’s play sand imported from China. The New Zealand Ministry of Education confirmed on Tuesday that 40 schools and daycare centers have been shut down as authorities work to identify and remove the contaminated products. Similarly, over 70 schools in Australia were closed earlier this week amid the ongoing investigation. The tainted sand, reportedly used for classroom activities and decorative purposes, has been found to contain chrysotile asbestos, a hazardous mineral fiber linked to lung cancer. WorkSafe New Zealand issued a statement highlighting that the product was imported from China and widely used in educational and domestic settings. Asbestos, once a popular construction material due to its heat-resistant properties, has been banned in many countries following studies that established its carcinogenic effects. In response to the crisis, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning stated that Beijing had taken note of the reports and emphasized that Australian businesses were in communication with suppliers to address the issue. Meanwhile, Australia’s product safety regulator downplayed immediate health risks, noting that tests had not detected breathable asbestos fibers. The agency explained that the risk of inhalation is low unless the sand is mechanically processed, such as through crushing or pulverizing. Despite these assurances, the incident has sparked widespread concern among parents and educators, prompting urgent reviews of imported materials in schools across both countries.