The crisis was triggered by the January 2024 discovery of asbestos in the Rozelle Parklands, a part of the then-recently opened Rozelle Interchange project in Sydney, Australia.[3]
The asbestos was originally reported by a concerned parent, who spotted a chunk of bonded asbestos in a handful of mulch brought home by their child from a playground.[1] Further testing revealed asbestos contamination in at least 17 different sites across the Parklands, which were closed for remediation.[4]
Investigation
The asbestos-contaminated mulch was traced to the supplier Greenlife Resource Recovery. Testing by the New South Wales Environment Protection Authority (EPA) found asbestos-contaminated mulch at dozens of sites, all supplied by Greenlife.[1] The investigation became the largest ever by the EPA, with hundreds of sites potentially contaminated.[5] Greenlife denied it was the source of the contamination, stating their mulch had been repeatedly tested negative.[1][2]
Impact
By February 2024, 33 sites across Sydney had tested positive for asbestos, and one in Nowra.[1] As of 7 March, the number of sites within New South Wales had risen to over 75.[6]
Dr Jeremy McAnulty from NSW Health stated that asbestos needs to be breathed in to be a risk, and merely touching it is typically not a risk for asbestos-related disease.[1] While most findings involved bonded asbestos, which is less likely to become airborne, three sites contained more dangerous friable asbestos.[7]
The Rozelle Parklands reopened on 30 April 2024 after a three-month closure and the replacement of all mulch, although some parts remain closed due to an infestation of blue-green algae.[12]
