Asbestos In Parks? What You Need to Know
Asbestos is a deadly mineral found naturally in rock formations. While many countries have banned its use, it’s still being mined to this day. It can also still be found in the average home or business built before 2000 and before we prohibited the import and use of asbestos in NZ.
But did you know it can also be found in our parks? If you’re concerned about asbestos exposure when visiting your local park, here is some important information to know.
Asbestos Can Be Present In Soil
You might expect to find traces of asbestos in asbestos-containing materials like vinyl and roofing materials, but asbestos can also be found in the soil. Typically, soil can become contaminated with asbestos due to the runoff from buildings with asbestos.
Over time, the fibres build up in the soil, resulting in noticeable contamination. Sometimes, soil can even be affected when it’s within close proximity to surrounding commercial and industrial buildings and even due to water-blasting of contaminated residential properties.
Hamilton City Council learned about soil contamination firsthand while preparing to open a park at the site of an old pool in Hamilton. While an initial test showed the site was asbestos-free, a subsequent test showed low traces in isolated areas. The discovery of asbestos delayed the project by several weeks. The only way to take care of the contamination was to replace the old soil with new, asbestos-free soil.
Neighboring Properties Can Be to Blame
Contaminated soil and asbestos materials don’t just end up in a public park by chance. As mentioned above, surrounding properties can play a part in it getting there. If a neighbouring property to a park has poorly-maintained asbestos building materials, such as a roof or even fencing, there’s a risk that the asbestos can become friable and contaminate surrounding areas. Asbestos is at its most hazardous in its friable form, with the potential for those small fibres to be breathed in.
Homeowners and commercial building owners have a responsibility to their neighbours to keep their properties well-maintained, especially when dealing with hazardous materials like asbestos.
Notifying Your Council Can Be Crucial
While parks staff regularly tend to parks to mow the lawns and ensure they’re safe for visitors, they don’t always spot all issues. If you notice asbestos-containing materials or possible asbestos-containing materials at your local park, don’t be afraid to report them to your local council.
The sooner the authorities are notified about park hazards, the sooner they can take action. Sometimes, this can involve testing and removal through trusted asbestos removal teams in NZ.
Asbestos Isn’t Always Removed
Costs can be a significant barrier to asbestos removal. While local bodies and businesses understand the risks associated with asbestos, they might not have the funds to take care of the problem. Instead, they come up with an alternative option to removal.
For example, you might be familiar with a small park with looping pathways and wooden bridges at the end of Hugo Johnson Drive in Auckland. Known as Pikes Point Foreshore Walkway, it’s a pleasant three-kilometre walk along the edges of the Mangere inlet.
According to an ‘Ask Phoebe’ piece by the NZ Herald, the former Auckland City Council identified asbestos contamination in this park more than a decade ago and investigated many remediation options. Removing the contaminated materials proved too costly.
Instead of opting for asbestos removal, they covered the area with topsoil and mulch, planted the park with shrub gardens, and erected fences to prohibit access until the plants became established. A walkway was also sealed to ensure the area could still be used by the general public. The walkway is now considered safe, even though the asbestos was never removed.
In a report released under the Official Information Act, the nearby former Southdown freezing works site still has prominent contamination, even though the site has largely been redeveloped. It’s believed that the contamination is partly due to waste materials from the Jamies Hardie manufacturing site in Penrose.
Asbestos Has Caused Councils to Review Their Practices
In the past, councils had no qualms about purchasing topsoil from private properties to use in their local parks. However, asbestos contamination of a Glendowie park has caused them to review their practices.
In 2012, it was revealed that the local and sports park department would no longer accept fill from private properties after soil testing revealed the contamination. About 80 cubic metres of soil was trucked to the park and levelled for landscaping. After testing was carried out, large areas of the park were cordoned off due to the contamination.
According to an independent public health physician, the initial sampling showed chunks of building material in the topsoil contained chrysotile or white asbestos. Fortunately, there was minimal risk of the fibres being inhaled when it was contained or made damp, but the entire ordeal forced the Auckland Council’s parks department to review its practices.
Asbestos Might Be Banned, But It’s Still Here
New Zealand no longer imports or uses asbestos, but that doesn’t mean we don’t still encounter problems related to contamination from materials used in the past. If you’re concerned about asbestos in your local park – or even your own home, contact asbestos experts without delay. Take advantage of testing and removal services to keep your local community safe.