Several more positive samples of asbestos have been found in the newly opened Rozelle Parklands, with the NSW government now scrambling to test other sites where the contaminated mulch product was used.
The 10ha park above the Rozelle Interchange in Sydney’s inner west was closed on Wednesday after samples of garden mulch near the children’s playground were found to contain traces of asbestos.
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On Thursday, Transport for NSW said an additional 34 samples had been taken for testing since the discovery, with three of those returning positive samples for bonded asbestos.
This type of asbestos is considered less dangerous than friable asbestos products, with the latter more loose and dry meaning asbestos fibres can easily be released into the air and inhaled.
Transport for NSW secretary Josh Murray said the bonded asbestos material was found “embedded in recycled mulch products used in the garden beds”.
Air monitoring at the site has not identified elevated levels of airborne asbestos particles.
Testing is now underway at other sites where the same mulch, manufactured by Greenlife Resource Recovery, was used.
The company says its products are rigorously tested
EPA investigators were seen at Greenlife’s facility in Bringelly on Thursday as investigations into the supply chain begin.
“The supplier believes that the material has been limited in its use outside of Rozelle interchange,” Murray said.
“That claim will now be fully tested by the EPA and will form a central part of their investigation.”
Investigations are also looking into the possibility the mulch was contaminated after the park was opened.
7NEWS understands the whole park will remain fenced off until at least the middle of next week.
