Asbestos has been found in commercial compost in southeast Queensland, following a series of discoveries of the deadly substance in landscaping supplies in NSW.
Testing at NuGrow’s facility in Ipswich has shown a positive result for asbestos in samples of a product stockpile.
It was one of 23 sites — including landscape suppliers, composters and landfills — tested by state authorities.
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It is the only positive result so far, with results pending for about half of the sites.
NuGrow recently spruiked a compost product on LinkedIn, saying it could be used to “revolutionise the way lawn bowling greens are maintained”, accompanied by photos of it being laid across the turf. There is no suggestion that compost was asbestos-tainted.
Further investigations will be conducted at the Ipswich site, including air quality testing.
Potential risks to workers and the public are also being determined.
“We will immediately inform the community if any health risks are identified,” the department of environment said in a statement.
The past 30 days of the company’s operations at the site are being examined to determine where potentially asbestos-contaminated compost had been sent.
The department has issued an “emergency direction” to NuGrow that it not remove any materials from the site unless they’re being correctly thrown out or determined to be asbestos-free.
Asbestos testing is also being expanded across Queensland.
The testing scheme was launched recently after at least a series of sites in NSW were found to contain mulch laced with asbestos.
Gardens at public parks including children’s playgrounds were among those tainted.