In early 2024, bonded asbestos was found in 14 locations in and around the Rozelle parklands in Sydney, Australia. It was only discovered after a child brought home a piece of the material from a playground.

Since the discovery, the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and Transport for NSW have been analysing samples at the parklands and associated sites. Of 92 samples analysed, 14 returned a positive result for bonded asbestos from the playground, electrical substations, a strip of highway, and multiple landscaped sites.

The asbestos had been present in garden mulch supplied by Greenlife Resource Recovery. The privately-owned transporting and resource recovery facility business specialises in recycled waste removal. They also sell soil, aggregates, mulches, and fertilisers and recycle green waste, timber products, and manure.

However, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation quoted Greenlife, who refuted that the contamination came from their recycled timber. They said they tested the mulch 20 times through an independent testing lab to ensure it complied. They also tested their own recycled mulch, which found no asbestos present.

The discovery of asbestos has seen the closure of a children’s playground and the launch of an investigation into how the asbestos got into the mulch and who’s to blame. However, even before conclusions can be reached, which will happen ‘in due course’, we can still learn many things from this situation, including:  

Asbestos Contamination Happens in Many Ways

As mind-boggling as it is to learn that asbestos can be found in mulch, it’s not as uncommon as you might think. Sadly, asbestos contamination can happen in many different ways:

In Recycled Products

We try to do right by the environment by using and creating recycled goods, but asbestos can be lurking where you least expect it. There have been instances of asbestos debris being found in crushed concrete products and mulch.

This can sometimes happen when asbestos waste has ended up in concrete disposal accidentally or through illegal dumping. The resultant recycled products can be on-sold to other parties when not identified.

Illegal Dumping

With asbestos-containing materials (ACM) so widespread throughout Australia, New Zealand, and other parts of the world, illegal dumping can sometimes be an outcome. Not everyone knows how to dispose of ACM safely or doesn’t want the hassle of doing so. So, they dispose of it in an unsafe location, where it’s at risk of being sorted, disposed of, and recycled, like ordinary waste.  

Historical Procedures

We didn’t always treat asbestos like we do today. ACM building materials were often disposed of in the same way as other building materials. As a result, some sites have significant amounts of asbestos debris located under the soil surface.

There’s Room for Improvement

Perhaps one of the main takeaways from the discovery of widespread bonded asbestos in public areas is that there’s always room for improvement. Our current practices may be sufficient in some ways and insufficient in others.

We may be able to undertake more testing on products that will be used in public places. We may also be able to make asbestos disposal methods more straightforward and well-known. If people know where to dispose of asbestos safely, they may be more inclined to opt for these methods rather than participate in illegal dumping.

Asbestos Contamination Should Not Be Taken Lightly

Many homeowners may not think twice about whether or not their home’s building materials contain asbestos. However, given the involvement of Transport NSW and the EPA in investigating this asbestos discovery, it’s clear to see that asbestos contamination shouldn’t be taken lightly.

While bonded asbestos is safer than friable asbestos because it’s mixed in with other materials, there are no guarantees that fibres won’t be released into the air. The tiny fibres from asbestos can be inhaled into our lungs, potentially resulting in severe and even fatal health conditions later in life, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and various cancers.

We Can Do Better With Asbestos Disposal

While you might throw regular building materials into your wheelie bin or skip bin, you can’t take the same approach with ACM. These materials can contaminate others and be a health risk for you, rubbish sorters, and the general public.

We can do better with asbestos disposal. WorkSafe has an entire portion of its website dedicated to where you can dispose of asbestos safely. They recommend talking to your local council about rubbish dumps in your community that accept asbestos waste and comply with the Resource Management Act.

It’s also important to call days ahead to let them know you have asbestos waste so they can prepare for its arrival to keep everyone safe.

We Can Learn From Our Mistakes

Bonded asbestos being found in parklands in Australia is undoubtedly a serious event. Still, it’s one we can learn from. We can be better with how we dispose of asbestos, how we test for it, and how we educate the general public.

If you’d like to learn more about asbestos and your role in keeping your community safe, contact Chemcare today. Our qualified asbestos removalists are only too happy to share their knowledge.