The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) investigation into asbestos contaminated mulch has returned positive results for two sites in the past day, and a negative result for one site.
The total number of positive sites is 61.
Two sites have returned a positive result for bonded asbestos:
- New South Erskine Park Zone Substation, Kemps Creek (not publicly accessible, affected area fenced off)
- Robyn Kemmis Reserve, Glebe (affected area fenced off)
One site has returned a negative result for asbestos:
- Nepean Hospital, Kingswood
Testing at these sites has been done by local councils and property owners. Land managers are responsible for managing the clean-up and disposal of contaminated mulch, with guidance from the EPA and other agencies.
The EPA is providing additional support for residential households and not-for-profit property owners.
The EPA's investigation is ongoing and includes several lines of enquiry including tracing the remainder of the mulch supply chain and considering the potential presence of legacy asbestos at some sites.
The EPA is also following up on a possible second supplier that may have supplied contaminated mulch to two positive sites at Cranebrook High School in Cranebrook and Mont Saint Quentin Oval in Bardia.
We will continue to keep the community informed of any cases or situations that pose a public risk.
For the latest information or to report concerns about mulch you have received please visit our website.
Different forms of asbestos have different risk levels:
Bonded (non-friable) asbestos: if asbestos is mixed with cement or other hard bonding materials, and in good condition, it is likely to be low risk.
Friable asbestos: can be crumbled, pulverised or reduced to a powder by hand pressure. If asbestos fibres then become airborne and breathed in, they can be a health risk. This is the most common way asbestos enters the body. The more fibres that are breathed in, the higher the risk.
