Asbestos-contaminated mulch is being found all over Sydney. Where did it come from and what are the risks?
There are two kinds of asbestos.
Friable asbestos is more dangerous and can be crumbled or reduced to a powder when it’s dry.
Bonded asbestos, also known as non-friable asbestos, is encased in a material and is typically less dangerous — unless it’s broken down into asbestos fibre.
Asbestos-laden mulch was first found at the Rozelle Parklands in Sydney’s inner west in January. Since then, it has been detected in at least 22 sites across NSW.
There are a few potential ways asbestos could be found in mulch:
- Contamination from Construction Materials: Asbestos-containing materials might have been improperly disposed of during construction or demolition activities. If these materials were broken down and mixed with organic waste or soil, they could end up in mulch through composting or recycling processes.
- Illegal Dumping: Unfortunately, illegal dumping of hazardous materials, including asbestos-containing materials, is not uncommon. If someone illegally dumped asbestos-containing waste in an area where mulch is produced or stored, it could contaminate the mulch.
- Recycled Materials: Mulch can be made from recycled materials, including wood and paper products. If these recycled materials come from buildings or structures that contained asbestos, there’s a risk that the asbestos fibers could be present in the mulch.
- Natural Occurrence: In some cases, asbestos deposits may occur naturally in the ground. If mulch is produced from materials sourced from an area with naturally occurring asbestos deposits, there’s a possibility that asbestos fibers could be present in the mulch.
Regardless of the source, the discovery of asbestos in mulch underscores the importance of proper waste management practices, including the safe disposal of asbestos-containing materials and the regular testing of recycled materials for contaminants. Additionally, it highlights the need for vigilance in monitoring the quality and safety of products like mulch, especially those intended for use in landscaping and gardening where people may come into direct contact with them.
Newcastle Rescue & Consultancy Pty Ltd Asbestos Training courses require a prerequisite of white card (after May 2009). The order to complete to satisfy prerequisites is Non-Friable, Friable and Supervise. There is also Asbestos Awareness Training.
