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Asbestos has been discovered in landscaping soil sold in Sydney, raising significant health concerns. The contamination was identified through independent testing, revealing that some soil products did not comply with state regulations and contained hazardous materials, including asbestos fibers.
Key Takeaways
- Asbestos found in landscaping soil sold in Sydney stores.
- Independent testing revealed non-compliance with state regulations.
- The NSW government expresses serious concern and plans regulatory action.
Discovery of Contaminated Soil
An investigation by Guardian Australia uncovered that recycled soil fill sold in New South Wales landscape and garden stores contained asbestos. The investigation involved purchasing four products from Sydney landscape supply shops and having them analyzed by accredited private laboratories. The results showed that one of the products contained asbestos fibers, while others did not meet state regulations on pH levels.
Health and Safety Concerns
Jason Scarborough, a former senior waste compliance officer at the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA), highlighted the potential health hazards posed by the contaminated soil. He noted that the product containing asbestos could be dangerous, and another product was deemed unsuitable for horticultural use due to serious visible physical contamination.
Government Response
The NSW government, represented by Environment Minister Penny Sharpe, expressed deep concern over the findings. Sharpe emphasized that it is illegal to provide any product containing asbestos and pointed to new laws that increase maximum penalties for breaching resource recovery orders. The government is awaiting a review by the state’s chief scientist on asbestos management, expected to be completed by December.
Industry and Regulatory Challenges
The investigation revealed systemic issues within the waste recycling industry. Some of the best-known waste companies in NSW were found to have breached safety rules meant to limit the spread of contamination. The soil fill, known as “recovered fines,” is made from recycled residues from construction and demolition sites. An estimated 700,000 tonnes of this product is applied to land in NSW each year.
Future Actions
The EPA is considering further regulatory changes based on the chief scientist’s review. The review will examine approaches to asbestos management in other Australian jurisdictions and whether a “tolerable threshold level” can be set for asbestos in waste intended for beneficial reuse. The government aims to make necessary changes to protect consumers from potentially harmful products.
Conclusion
The discovery of asbestos in landscaping soil sold in Sydney has raised significant health and safety concerns. The NSW government and regulatory bodies are taking steps to address the issue and ensure that consumers are protected from contaminated products. Further regulatory changes are expected following the completion of the chief scientist’s review.
Sources
- We tested landscaping soil on sale in Sydney stores for asbestos – it came back positive | Asbestos | The Guardian, The Guardian.
- NSW government ‘very concerned’ about asbestos found in Sydney landscaping soil | Asbestos | The Guardian, The Guardian.
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