Asbestos News

A park in the Australian state of New South Wales was temporarily closed due to an asbestos find.

According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, the Eurobodalla Shire Council is closing part of Moruya's Riverside Park because asbestos sheeting was found buried in the ground.

The authorities also closed a playground in the vicinity. Ensuring that all possible precautions are taken regarding asbestos is essential as exposure to the naturally occurring substance has long been known to cause asbestosis, lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma.

Director of Infrastructure Services Warren Sharpe told the news source that it appeared as if the asbestos sheeting had been buried for quite a while.

"It appears as though it may have just worked its way to the surface," he said. "It's been found in an area that's under heavy wear, and as a consequence those small fragments have come to the surface."

The news provider reports that the Council has taken all the proper precautions with the matter, bringing in a specialized contractor to remove the substance and notifying the relevant government authorities.