澳洲與紐西蘭近日爆發嚴重的校園公共安全危機，起因竟是一項廣受孩童喜愛的玩具「魔力沙」(Magic Sand)。這種外觀無害、質地細軟、能任意塑形的沙子在例行檢測中，被發現含有具有高度致癌風險的「石棉」（Asbestos），而且屬於致癌等級最高的第一級致癌物，其危險性引發兩國教育體系全面戒備。

事件最先在澳洲首都領地引爆。當局在調查後確認，多所學校曾購買並使用這款魔力沙作為課堂教具，或提供給學生進行美術與感官學習活動。由於石棉會在摩擦、破碎或長時間接觸下釋放微粒，學生與教師可能因此吸入有害纖維，對健康造成長期且不可逆的影響。為了避免任何潛在風險，當地政府立即宣布首都領地共有七十一所學校停課，以便徹底排查校園環境、管理受污染物品並進行必要清潔。

隨著消息曝出，澳洲其他州份也相繼展開檢測，一些學校因出現疑似石棉材料或曾使用相關玩具，也被迫暫時關閉教室或全面停課。事件迅速擴大成全國性議題，教育界、家長與衛生單位皆對玩具供應鏈的安全性提出強烈質疑。

更令人震驚的是，紐西蘭同樣受到牽連。政府在週一宣布，全國共有二百四十間教育機構因使用過魔力沙而緊急停課，包括一百五十所中小學與九十所幼兒園。基督城地區也在名單之列，其中八所學校被要求立即關閉校園，等待環境與設備完成專業檢測。由於幼兒與低齡學生處於最容易吸入石棉的高風險族群，家長的焦慮情緒進一步升高。

此次事件暴露出進口玩具的審查漏洞，也凸顯石棉仍可能以意想不到的方式進入孩子的生活環境。澳洲與紐西蘭的相關部門正在追查這批魔力沙的供應鏈來源，並同步召回所有具有風險的產品，以防止更多學校與家庭受到影響。這場因玩具而起的跨國健康危機，已成為兩國社會最關注的公共安全議題之一。

Australia and New Zealand have recently faced an unexpected public health crisis in their school systems, and the source of the danger comes from an item that appears harmless at first glance: the popular children’s toy known as “Magic Sand.” This sensory play material—soft, colorful, and easily shaped—was found to contain asbestos, a Category 1 carcinogen. The discovery immediately triggered widespread concern and urgent action across both countries.

The incident first came to light in Australia’s Capital Territory. Routine inspections revealed that multiple schools had purchased Magic Sand and used it in classrooms, particularly in art sessions and sensory learning activities for younger students. Because asbestos can release dangerous microscopic fibers when disturbed, broken down, or handled repeatedly, both students and teachers could be unknowingly exposed. To prevent any potential health risks, the local government ordered 71 schools in the Capital Territory to suspend classes while contamination assessments and professional clean-ups were carried out.

As the news spread, other Australian states began conducting their own tests. Several schools across the country were found to have used similar products and were consequently forced to shut down temporarily or close specific classrooms for safety evaluations. What started as a localized issue rapidly escalated into a nationwide debate, with parents, educators, and health authorities questioning the safety oversight of imported educational toys.

The situation worsened when New Zealand confirmed that it, too, had been affected. On Monday, the government announced the closure of 240 educational institutions due to the discovery of asbestos-contaminated Magic Sand. This shutdown includes 150 primary and secondary schools, along with 90 kindergartens. In Christchurch alone, eight schools were instructed to close immediately so that full environmental testing and decontamination could take place. Given that young children are particularly vulnerable to inhaling asbestos fibers, the announcement triggered widespread alarm among families.

This incident exposes significant gaps in the inspection and regulation of imported toys and highlights how easily hazardous materials can find their way into environments designed for children’s learning and play. Authorities in both Australia and New Zealand are currently tracing the supply chain behind the contaminated Magic Sand and coordinating large-scale recalls to prevent further exposure. What began as a routine safety check has now become one of the most urgent public health crises in the region’s education sector.