Two educational institutions have had to shut down temporarily as investigations are being conducted to determine the presence of asbestos in play sand used within their premises.
The closures, affecting Beacon Hill School and Silverdale School in North Tyneside, were prompted by concerns over potential asbestos contamination in various products sold by supermarkets and retail stores across the UK earlier this year.
Approximately 39 items were recalled from prominent retailers such as Tesco, Primark, Smyths Toys, Aldi, Argos, Asda, and M&S after some products were found to contain asbestos, according to information from the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) released in April.
Asbestos, previously valued for its fire-resistant properties, is now recognized as a hazardous material with fibers that can cause serious health issues like asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer.
North Tyneside Council took a precautionary step by closing Beacon Hill and Silverdale schools in Wallsend due to the presence of large amounts of sand on their premises, where inspections are currently underway.
Woodlawn School experienced a partial closure initially but has since reopened fully following negative test results.
The council is working in collaboration with the Health and Safety Executive and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) in this matter, emphasizing that the play sand in question was sourced from reputable high street retailers.
Concerns have been raised by a parent regarding the communication surrounding the issue, questioning the council’s awareness of the situation and why the children were exposed to the sand.
Headteacher of Beacon Hill School, Justina Terretta, informed parents via email about the closure and the implementation of testing and cleaning procedures by specialist contractors.
Rebecca Wall, director of children’s services at North Tyneside Council, assured that a safety-first approach is being taken to protect the students and staff, emphasizing that expert advice suggests a low overall health risk associated with the situation.
