The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has found traces of asbestos in a range of wax crayons, but says people should not be too alarmed.

ACCC investigations revealed traces of asbestos in 32-piece Dora the Explorer crayons, Dora the Explorer Jumbo crayons, Arti Crafti 16-piece packs, eight-packs of Peppa Pig wax crayons, Disney Frozen Jumbo Crayons and Disney Mickey Mouse and Friends Crayons.

It forced the regulator to trigger the Heads of Workplace Safety Authorities’ (HWSA) Imported Materials with Asbestos Working Group Rapid Response Protocol.

But even so, the ACCC says there is no need to panic.

“The ACCC does not believe that traces of asbestos in crayons presents a safety risk to consumers because the asbestos is fixed within the crayon wax, which removes the risk of inhalation or ingestion,” it said in a statement.

“There is no need to panic, nevertheless presence of asbestos in crayons at any level is unacceptable because asbestos is a prohibited import.”

The ACCC said State and Territory workplace safety authorities would now move to enact their standard controls for the presence of asbestos in any workplace, alerting schools and shops and helping with the return of goods.

“Because of triggering the Protocol, they are contacting suppliers about their obligation to remove existing stock from workplaces and establish collection points for consumer returns,” the ACCC said.

The regulator will continue to test products and says it will share any further information with suppliers and the community.

The Commission said any concerned consumers should place the crayons in a plastic bag, or in their original packaging, and return them to the supplier.

They are eligible under consumer law to receive a refund or replacement.

Additionally, they can take the crayons (in a bag or their original packaging) to an authorised asbestos disposal facility.

“While the risk to exposure is low, a precautionary and coordinated approach is being taken by all Australian Governments and Agencies,” Minister for Employment, Eric Abetz said.

“The Government is pleased that the rapid response protocols established by the Working Group have identified and responded to this situation quickly.”