by City of Sydney Parks Contaminated with Asbestos: What You Need to Know
In an unfortunate turn of events, several parks in the City of Sydney have been found to be contaminated with asbestos. This news has understandably caused concern among residents and visitors alike. The City of Sydney is working diligently to address this issue as quickly as possible and will provide regular updates on the progress.
The contamination was brought to light on Thursday, 8 February when the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) notified the City that their mulch suppliers may have received contaminated recycled mulch. In response, immediate testing was conducted at five identified sites to determine the extent of the problem.
It is important to understand the difference between bonded and friable asbestos. Bonded asbestos, also known as non-friable asbestos, is mixed with cement or resin to keep the fibers in place. However, if this type of asbestos is damaged, it can release airborne fibers and pose a risk to human health. On the other hand, friable asbestos is easily crushed into a powder, making it more dangerous as it can easily release airborne fibers when handled.
So far, bonded asbestos has been found in mulch at Victoria Park and Belmore Park, while friable asbestos has been detected in mulch at Harmony Park in Surry Hills. As a precautionary measure, Harmony Park has been temporarily closed and fences and signs have been installed in the affected areas. Victoria Park and Belmore Park, however, remain open with similar safety measures implemented.
To ensure the safety of the community, the City of Sydney will be testing an additional 32 parks where a contaminated mulch product may have been used. These areas have been taped off and signs have been erected to inform the public about the potential contamination. It is strongly advised to avoid the mulched garden beds and areas under trees in these parks until inspections are carried out.
If you have visited a park where asbestos has been detected, it is natural to be concerned. For more information regarding health risks associated with asbestos exposure, you can visit the NSW Health website.
It is worth noting that the contaminated mulch is only used in garden beds and under trees, and not in park playgrounds. The City of Sydney regularly replaces the mulch, but due to issues with their suppliers, it is difficult to determine which batch was contaminated. The mulch may have been in place for up to six months.
The clean-up process is expected to take several weeks, and the City of Sydney is working closely with environmental consultants and asbestos assessors to investigate other potentially affected sites. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
In light of the safety concerns at Victoria Park, the Fair Day event scheduled for Sunday, 18 February has been canceled. The City of Sydney and Sydney Mardi Gras are collaborating to present alternative events throughout the festival.
For more detailed information and the latest updates on the asbestos contamination in City of Sydney parks, please refer to the official statement provided by the City of Sydney.
Remember, your safety is of utmost importance, and we urge everyone to stay informed and take necessary precautions when visiting the affected parks.
