Sydney has had to cordon off areas in multiple parks after the discovery of asbestos in mulch. Schools are beginning precautionary testing, and the government is working to remove the toxic material from public spaces. Asbestos was first found in a playground in Sydney’s inner west in January and was subsequently spotted in recycled mulch near a park constructed above an underground road interchange. Since then, about 20 city sites including transport projects, a primary school, a supermarket, and a hospital have been confirmed contaminated.
The Sydney City Council has announced plans to inspect 33 parks, including some in popular tourist spots, as well as dozens of garden beds where the contaminated mulch may have been used. Testing is expected to take several weeks. In addition, about 700 students at a public school in Sydney’s southwest will be relocated to another school for several weeks after asbestos was found on campus. Inspections have also begun at seven other schools.
The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Fair Day event, which usually draws tens of thousands of people, has been cancelled after traces of asbestos were found around the Victoria Park venue. Asbestos was once popular for reinforcing cement and fireproofing, but research later found that inhalation of asbestos fibers could cause lung inflammation and cancer, leading to it being banned in many parts of the world.
The New South Wales state government has set up a taskforce to provide more resources and staff to support the Environment Protection Authority’s investigations. “This is the largest investigation the Environment Protection Authority has undertaken in recent decades. The complex, criminal investigation involves multiple lines of enquiry,” New South Wales Environment Minister Penny Sharpe said in a statement.
The government’s top priority is “contact tracing” down the supply chain and then facilitating testing, reporting, and management of any positive results, Sharpe said. The state government is taking the situation seriously and is committed to addressing the issue to ensure the safety of the public.
Reporting by Renju Jose in Sydney; Editing by Jamie Freed
