The Dangers of Asbestos in Mulch
The new year in 2024 wasn’t off to a great start for officials in Sydney, New South Wales. In January, a child innocently took home handfuls of garden mulch from a playground, only for their parents to notice pieces of bonded asbestos.
Before long, a contamination crisis had been revealed, with the asbestos-contaminated mulch being found in schools, public parks, and playgrounds. At least 33 sites across Sydney and in the town of Nowra received positive asbestos test results. New South Wales officials also believe hundreds of locations could contain the tainted woodchips.
Official bodies across the state leapt into action to take control of the situation, but their speed begs the question: What’s the big deal? You can learn more about the dangers of asbestos in mulch below.
Asbestos is Hazardous to Health
Asbestos is a natural mineral found in the earth that was used in building materials for several decades. It was desirable for its heat resistance and affordability. As a result, you won’t find many homes in Aotearoa New Zealand built between the 1940s and 1980s that didn’t have at least one building material made with asbestos.
We later learned that asbestos in its friable form could be hazardous to our health. When broken or crumbly, asbestos-containing materials can release asbestos fibres into the air that we breathe in. Breathing in these small fibres can put us at risk of severe and life-threatening diseases like mesothelioma, asbestosis, and various cancers.
There is no known safe exposure level. While most asbestos-related diseases have been found in people working with raw asbestos, there have also been cases involving people who have only had short-term exposure events.
How Does Asbestos End Up in Mulch?
Despite everyone’s best efforts, mistakes and accidents can happen. If mulch has been made using recycled materials, there’s a chance that asbestos-contaminated building materials can end up in the mix. However, by law, suppliers are required to ensure mulch doesn’t contain contaminants such as metal, plastic, glass, engineered wood, and asbestos.
In the case of the Sydney contamination crisis, all asbestos-containing mulch is believed to have come from the landscaping products manufacturer Greenlife Resource Recovery, according to BBC.com.
However, the business denied it was the source of the contamination, with their mulch repeatedly testing negative for contamination. The Environmental Protection Agency’s test results were also negative.
The business argued that contamination could have occurred at any point in the supply chain. Now, the EPA is undertaking a criminal investigation to find out who’s responsible for the contamination.
How Often Is Asbestos Found in Mulch?
Sydney’s contamination event in January and February of 2024 might have been the first time you’ve heard about asbestos being found in mulch. However, it’s certainly not the only contamination event involving mulch and asbestos. It’s also not Australia’s first rodeo.
In 2016, asbestos-contaminated mulch was spread around a train station in Perth’s southern suburb of Aubin Grove in Cockburn. Small traces of non-friable asbestos had been found in the 10,000m2 of mulch laid around the new train station. Fortunately, the asbestos was bonded and not airborne. The cause of this contamination event was believed to be due to building rubble being mixed in with the mulch.
How to Reduce the Risks of Asbestos in Mulch
Mulch is a convenient, affordable, and practical garden product. Thousands of homeowners around New Zealand buy it to beautify their properties. After hearing what Australia has been going through, it’s only natural to fear asbestos contamination. Still, there are a few actions you can take to reduce the risk:
1. Only Use Mulch from Reputable Sources
The cheapest isn’t always the best. Research various mulch suppliers to find out where they’re sourcing their mulch and what it’s made of. The more reputable the supplier is, the more peace of mind you might have.
2. Avoid Recycled Mulch
As much as we love doing our part for Mother Earth, recycling isn’t always in our best interests! If you’re worried about asbestos contamination, don’t buy mulch made from recycled materials. It may be at a higher risk of asbestos contamination than mulch not made from recycled materials.
3. Be Mindful of Mulch Placement
Your mulch might not start out as asbestos-contaminated, but that doesn’t mean it won’t end up that way. If you place mulch near older structures or buildings known to contain asbestos materials like roofing, there’s potential for contamination. Reduce the risk by not using any gardening materials near older asbestos-containing buildings.
Are You Worried About Asbestos Contamination?
Asbestos contamination can be a scary topic. We’re here to help you be well-informed. If you’re worried about asbestos contamination around your property, contact the team at Chemcare today. We can undertake asbestos testing and removal to help you enjoy the peace of mind you deserve.