Asbestos News

Concerned citizens in the Australian state of New South Wales have appealed the government's decision to approve a basalt quarry on potentially asbestos-contaminated land over health concerns.

In January, the NSW Department of Planning gave cement firm Hanson the go-ahead to develop the $5 million quarry at East Guyong, and while government officials placed 74 conditions on the company designed to avoid the disturbance of asbestos, some residents are not convinced the area can be used safely, according to Central West Daily.

"The site can't be managed safely," nearby resident and mother-of-three Heather McNair told the news source. "It can't be managed properly."

As a result of the appeal, the case will be heard in March in the Land and Environment Court in Sydney.

Even when mines aren't specifically extracting asbestos from the ground, there is the danger that asbestos can be released. Such was the case with the W.R. Grace vermiculite mine in Libby, Montana. In that community at least 400 people have been killed by asbestos-related diseases such as malignant mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer. As a result, the EPA declared Libby to be a public health emergency.

Local municipal authorities near the site of the proposed Australian quarry have said that they will support the residents.