PRESS RELEASE: Asbestos in mulch causes concern but asbestos debris is closer to home than we think!
MEDIA RELEASE: 10th April 2024
Asbestos in mulch causes concern but asbestos debris is closer to home than we think!
As Victorian councils and the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) continue to investigate and test for asbestos in mulch at public recreational sites, Clare Collins, Chair of the Asbestos Education Committee has urged the public not to panic but to avoid the locations where asbestos has been identified in mulch until the sites have been inspected and cleared of possible asbestos contamination.
Amid growing concerns Ms Collins said it’s completely unacceptable to find asbestos in mulch and is urging the public to remain calm but if people observe what they suspect may be pieces of bonded asbestos in a public place, to contact the council or the EPA immediately.
“According to reports, the bonded or non-friable asbestos identified in mulch are pieces of broken asbestos-cement sheeting known as fibro, which most likely came from building demolition sites. However, how this occurred, is the real question to be explored,” Ms Collins said.
“There’s a lot of community concern and confusion surrounding the finding of non-friable asbestos in parks and playgrounds because people are unsure of how dangerous non-friable asbestos pieces are, what the materials might look like, what the risks to health are and what to do if they come across it,” Ms Collins said.
“Fibro debris is usually a light grey or a dirty colour (especially when mixed with soil or leaf matter), it resembles flat broken cement with the tell-tale golf ball-like dimpling on one side, and will often have jagged edges where it has been broken and may have old paint on the non-dimpled side.
“Importantly, amid the current bonded asbestos debris finds in public places, homeowners need to be aware that asbestos debris could be closer to home than they might think.
“It’s not uncommon to find fibro debris left over from the original build or renovations at residential properties built before 1990 including brick, weatherboard, fibro or clad homes.
“It can be found in garden beds, loose under homes and under concrete paths. It could be anywhere,” Ms Collins said.
Fibro was the most common non-friable asbestos-containing building material produced before a complete asbestos ban came into force in Australia in December 2003.
Non-friable asbestos cannot be crumbled, pulverised or reduced to a powder by hand pressure when dry. It is considered low risk when undisturbed, sealed, wet or damp.
“However, while the asbestos identified in mulch (to date) has been determined to be non-friable and low risk to health, it would be extremely concerning if friable asbestos were found in public places,” Ms Collins said.
Considered high risk, friable asbestos can be extremely dangers. It can be crumbled, pulverised or reduced to a powder by hand pressure. If fibres become airborne and can be inhaled, it poses significant health risks.
Non-friable asbestos can also become friable if damaged, demolished or exposed to the elements in unsealed fibro sheeting and is particularly common to aged, brittle corrugated asbestos-cement roofing.
“But fibro is not the only asbestos-containing material that could be found in many homes.
“Over 3,000 different types of building and decorator products were produced using asbestos, including under floor and wall coverings,” said Ms Collins.
“With community education key to minimising asbestos exposure risks, while these products remain in one third of Australian homes in a wide range of products, its vital for homeowners to respect asbestos risks and visit www.asbestosawareness.com.au to learn what the materials might look like and where they might be found so they can manage asbestos safely to protect their health and the health of others.
-ENDS-
MEDIA REQUESTS: Alice Collins, member of the Asbestos Education Committee
0414 686 091 [email protected]
#Asbestos #AsbestosAwareness #RespectAsbestos #RespectAsbestosRisks #AsbestosInMulch
IMAGES & GRAPHICS
• High-Res Asbestos Debris Images: asbestosawareness.box.com/v/asbestos-debris-images
• Asbestos-Containing Materials (ACMs) Images/Graphics visit: asbestosawareness.box.com/v/AsbestosAwarenessImages
ABOUT
The Asbestos Education Committee (AEC) initiated asbestosawareness.com.au in NSW in 2011, later expanding it into the National Asbestos Awareness Campaign. Collaborating closely with stakeholders such as local and state governments, non-profits, research organisations, and businesses; asbestosawareness.com.au emerged as the premier educational platform for asbestos awareness in Australia. When government funding ceased in 2018, Advocacy Australia, a registered charity, was established in 2020 to ensure the continuity of asbestos education and revived the Asbestos Education Committee (AEC). Comprised of industry leaders and stakeholders, the AEC is dedicated to minimizing exposure to hazardous asbestos fibres and maximising education and awareness to help save lives.
