Breaking New Ground in Asbestos Safety Research at Auckland University of Technology

In a pioneering effort to address a pressing public health concern, Auckland University of Technology (AUT) has launched what is believed to be the world's first study specifically designed to determine whether asbestos fibres in contaminated children's play sand can become airborne and inhalable during typical play activities. Led by Associate Professor Terri-Ann Berry from AUT's School of Future Environments, this research comes at a critical time following the late 2025 discovery of tremolite asbestos in coloured play sand products sold across New Zealand, Australia, and at least 20 other countries. The study's findings could provide vital evidence-based guidance for parents, educators, and regulators, potentially reassuring families or prompting enhanced monitoring protocols.

The announcement on March 30, 2026, highlights AUT's commitment to tackling real-world environmental hazards through innovative higher education research. As New Zealand grapples with the legacy of asbestos exposure—responsible for an estimated 12,000 future deaths from related diseases—this project underscores the role of universities in safeguarding community health.

The Play Sand Contamination Crisis: How It Unfolded

The crisis began in November 2025 when routine laboratory testing in Australia unexpectedly revealed tremolite asbestos—a naturally occurring amphibole mineral fibre known for its carcinogenic properties—in imported coloured play sand. This fluke discovery triggered immediate recalls in New Zealand, led by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). Affected products included EC Rainbow Sand (1.3kg bags), Creatistics Coloured Sand (1kg), Rainbow Sand Art Toy sets, Craft Sand (380g), and specific batches of Kmart's Magic Sand such as the 14-piece Sand Castle Building Set (Batch 42975724), Blue Magic Sand (Batch 42304364), Green Magic Sand (Batch 432919650), and Pink Magic Sand (Batch 42304371).

Over 70 schools and early childhood centres in Australia closed temporarily, with similar disruptions in New Zealand as authorities scrambled to remove the products. WorkSafe New Zealand classified the sand as friable asbestos-containing material, mandating Class A licensed removal processes complete with clearance air monitoring. Public advice emphasised not disturbing the sand at home or school and contacting professionals for safe disposal, reflecting the gravity of potential exposure in settings where children spend hours moulding and playing.

While single low-level exposures pose extremely low risk, the long latency period of asbestos-related diseases—typically 15 to 40 years—raises concerns for children's developing respiratory systems, which are more susceptible to fibre retention and damage.

Meet Associate Professor Terri-Ann Berry: AUT's Asbestos Research Pioneer

At the helm of this groundbreaking study is Associate Professor Terri-Ann Berry, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC), Chartered Chemist (CChem), and Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) with a PhD and MSc. Her research spans asbestos exposure pathways, bioremediation of fibres, and health risks from hazardous minerals. Berry chairs the Mesothelioma Support and Asbestos Awareness Trust (MSAA Trust) and directs AUT's Environmental Innovation Centre, previously at Unitec before its integration into AUT.

Her work includes investigating asbestos in Auckland soils, beaches, and even fungi-mediated biodegradation in asbestos biofilms. Publications like "Asbestos and other hazardous fibrous minerals: potential exposure pathways and associated health risks" highlight her global influence, with over 1,477 citations. Berry's motivation traces back to a Cook Islands student project on asbestos remediation, evolving into comprehensive studies on New Zealand's asbestos legacy.

The study is dedicated to Leonie Metcalfe, New Zealand's longest-surviving mesothelioma patient and MSAA Trust co-founder, who passed away on March 16, 2026, after a valiant battle following her 2020 diagnosis.

AUT's Rigorous Methodology: Simulating Real-World Play Conditions

Conducted in a Class A asbestos removal enclosure above Beacon Safety in Auckland, the experiment simulates children's play in a sealed chamber. Trained removalists in full personal protective equipment (PPE)—masks, suits, gloves—manipulate over a dozen contaminated sand samples, mimicking activities like digging, pouring, and moulding. Air monitoring occurs at child height (around 1m) and adult/teacher height (1.5-2m), using phase contrast microscopy and transmission electron microscopy for fibre detection.

Strict protocols ensure safety: air-locked decontamination showers, negative pressure filtration, and post-test clearance sampling. As Berry notes, "If there are fibres in the air, that means there's a possibility they could be inhaled, and if they've been inhaled, there's also a possibility they could cause cancer in the long-term." The goal is binary: confirm no airborne release for reassurance or quantify fibres for risk assessment.

Funded by AUT, WorkSafe, and MBIE, with support from Beacon Safety and the Faculty of Asbestos Management Australia and New Zealand (FAMANZ), this controlled approach addresses the ethical impossibility of using children.

Photo by René Ranisch on Unsplash

Understanding Asbestos Risks: Focus on Tremolite and Children's Vulnerability

Tremolite asbestos, an amphibole fibre, resists breakdown in lungs, causing inflammation, scarring (asbestosis), lung cancer, and mesothelioma—a rare cancer of the lung or abdominal lining. New Zealand's asbestos epidemic persists despite a 2016 import/manufacture ban; historical use in building materials led to peak mesothelioma rates of 25 per million men in 1995, with ongoing cases due to latency.

Children face heightened risks: smaller airways trap fibres more efficiently, and longer life expectancies amplify cumulative effects. While not every exposure causes disease, no threshold exists—dose-response is linear. AUT's study fills a gap, as prior research focused on occupational or environmental sources, not consumer play products.

New Zealand's Regulatory Response and Higher Education's Role

MBIE's Product Safety division spearheaded recalls, with WorkSafe providing workplace advice and the Ministry of Education guiding schools. Health New Zealand (Te Whatu Ora) recommends GP consultations for concerned families, emphasising long-term monitoring for exposed children.

AUT exemplifies how New Zealand universities bridge academia and policy. Berry's collaborations with government bodies demonstrate higher education's pivot to urgent societal challenges, from beach asbestos sampling to bioremediation innovations.

Stakeholder Perspectives: From Parents to Policymakers

• Parents: Anxiety lingers; one mother, Elle Chrisp, voiced fears over prolonged play exposure.
• Educators: Schools disposed of sand professionally, disrupting lessons but prioritising safety.
• Regulators: MBIE and WorkSafe advocate border testing enhancements to prevent future imports.
• Experts: AUT's Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research, Prof. Mark Orams, stresses global implications for Europe too.

Berry hopes for reassuring results: "We really hope it’s not airborne."

Broader Implications for AUT and New Zealand Higher Education

This project bolsters AUT's reputation in environmental science, attracting funding and talent. It aligns with national priorities like the Asbestos Safety Strategy, positioning universities as innovation hubs. Future outcomes could influence import standards worldwide.

Photo by Hakim Menikh on Unsplash

Looking Ahead: Monitoring, Prevention, and Research Horizons

Positive results could close the chapter; negative ones necessitate registries for exposed children. AUT plans expanded bioremediation studies, leveraging Berry's fungi research. For New Zealand's tertiary sector, this validates applied research's societal value, encouraging interdisciplinary collaborations.

As AUT advances this vital work, it reminds us of higher education's power to protect future generations.