Asbestos found in Sydney sites after Rozelle Parklands

Hazardous fibrous material Asbestos has been found in soil at more sites in the west and inner west of Sydney. It came after its discovery in Rozelle Parklands, located at the center of Inner West Sydney.

Transport for NSW and Sydney Metro are continuing their investigation and doing additional testing for the dangerous material at places. They conducted independent testing for the soil samples at the Prospect Highway project between Prospect and Blacktown. Fulton Hogan is a contractor on this project.

Asbestos has been found in mulch in various sites across Sydney's west and inner west after the toxic material was first detected in the Rozelle Parklands, prompting further investigation.https://t.co/4OZaaqKHQy
— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) January 24, 2024

Transport for NSW confirmed they collected 31 samples at two landscaped sites throughout the project. Four of these samples test positive for Asbestos. Hence, they have now closed the area to prevent public access as they are making a remediation plan to remove Asbestos from the area.

Moreover, a contractor for Sydney Metro tested five locations while landscaping soil samples in October of last year. Hence, three of these Metro site tests revealed positive indications of Asbestos.

Secretary of Transport for NSW, Josh Murray, stated none of the Metro sites are open to the public since they are fence-surrounded electrical stations.

They have been testing and retesting the soil samples to keep the public safe from hazardous Asbestos since Oct 2023. In this regard, they have found Asbestos in more new Sydney sites.

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Meanwhile, they have found Asbestos at Dulwich Hill, Canterbury, and Campsie Metro sites. However, the Punchbowl and Lakemba sites showed negative results for Asbestos presence.

Systems Connect, the contractor for Sydney Metro, is now developing a remediation plan to remove Asbestos from the sites. The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has been notified of all positive results. Furthermore, the EPA is investigating the source of the Asbestos in Rozelle and other sites in Sydney.

However, Asbestos is a dangerous fiber material for human health. A human may seamlessly inhale it. Its exposure in the body increases the risk of chronic diseases like lung cancer.