A Sydney primary school will close for two days after asbestos was found in garden mulch, sparking fears among parents and staff.
It comes after the discovery of asbestos at a newly opened park at Rozelle Interchange in Sydney’s inner west led to an extensive investigation into a mulch manufacturer.
Liverpool West Public School was listed as a priority site for testing after it was found to have purchased mulch from the same manufacturer.
On Sunday, test results confirmed that a single piece of asbestos was attached to the mulch. More than 600 students attend the school.
Asbestos can become trapped in the lungs if inhaled and exposure increases the risk of developing lung, ovarian and laryngeal cancers, as well as mesothelioma (cancer of the lining of the lung), according to the Cancer Council.
Liverpool West Primary School was listed as a priority site for testing after it was found to have purchased mulch from the same manufacturer.
The NSW Department of Education has enacted its asbestos protocol and as a precautionary measure, the school will operate with remote learning on Mondays and Tuesdays.
NSW EPA chief executive Tony Chapell said the EPA was concerned about the findings and would work around the clock to ensure the safety of the school community.
“We understand that finding asbestos in a school is extremely concerning for families and we are working as quickly as possible to get to the bottom of this situation,” he said.
The EPA was informed Friday afternoon that the school was a potential site and a licensed asbestos evaluator was dispatched early Saturday morning to test the site.
“We are supporting the school and the Department for Education to urgently secure the site and ensure the contaminated mulch is cleaned and replaced,” Mr Chappel said.
It comes after the discovery of asbestos at a newly opened park at Rozelle Interchange in Sydney’s inner west led to an extensive investigation into a mulch manufacturer.
“We thank the community for their patience and trust as we continue this complex investigation,” Chapell said.
As part of its investigation, the EPA has carried out more than 100 tests at sites in Sydney, with thirteen returning a positive result for adhering asbestos, which NSW Health says is of low risk to public health.
Anyone with concerns about newly received mulch should contact the EPA Environmental Hotline on 131 555 or info@epa.nsw.gov.au.