Asbestos News

A number of waste transfer stations in the Australian state of New South Wales have recently been closed down due to the illegal dumping of asbestos.

The Mudgee Guardian reports that all of the Lue waste transfer station and parts of the dump in Windeyer have been closed because of the presence of the carcinogenic substance. In total, four waste transfer stations needed to be shut down by the Mid-Western Regional Council because of illegal asbestos dumping.

Acting general manager Brad Cam told the news source that even though the amount of asbestos waste was small, it still required that the facilities be closed.

"The incidents that forced these closures involve small to moderate amounts of asbestos," he said. "But even small amounts of this material can pose a serious public health risk, not only to the person who dumps the material but to anyone visiting the site. It is not something that we take lightly."

Cam was not exaggerating about the dangers posed by asbestos exposure as the naturally occurring mineral can cause malignant mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer.