Sydney is dealing with a widening asbestos contamination, as more schools have been found to have the toxic material, according to authorities on Sunday. The discovery of the contamination occurred in January, with asbestos found in a playground in the New South Wales capital. A subsequent investigation revealed asbestos in recycled mulch near the park, which was built above an underground road interchange.
In an update on Sunday, the state’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) confirmed that 34 city sites had tested positive for bonded asbestos. New sites where asbestos was detected include two schools in the city’s west, bringing the total number of tainted schools to four.
“There is ongoing testing at a further four schools,” commented EPA head Tony Chappel, who also stated that testing is underway at a hospital and in part of the city’s Royal National Park. The agency reported on Saturday that a public school, park, and two part-built housing estates were tainted, with transport projects, a warehouse, and a hospital also confirmed as impacted.
In response to the contamination, the state government has established an asbestos task force to provide additional resources and support to the EPA, marking the agency’s largest probe since its establishment in 1991.
Asbestos was initially popular in the late 19th century for reinforcing cement and fire-proofing. However, research later revealed that the inhalation of asbestos fibres could lead to lung inflammation and cancer. As a result, asbestos is now banned in many parts of the world.
(Reporting by Sam McKeith in Sydney; Editing by Christian Schmollinger)
