Although asbestos occurs naturally in some parts of Australia, land can also become contaminated with asbestos waste. Under environment protection laws everyone has a duty not to pollute the environment or to unlawfully dispose of asbestos waste.
Naturally occurring asbestos
Australia has significant deposits of naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) particularly in parts of New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia. Any activities that could disturb NOA (such as farming, mining and road construction) creates a health risk because fibres can be released into the air and inhaled.
Rocky outcrops of NOA vary in appearance, ranging in colour from green, grey to yellow or white. NOA may not be easily recognised and laboratory testing is required to confirm its presence. Maps are available indicating potential NOA sites but they do not identify all places where it actually exists, for example NSW has been mapped into low, medium, or high potential NOA regions.
Activities that disturb NOA and generate dust should be avoided. In most circumstances leaving the NOA in place and covering it with soil or other material that is free of asbestos is an effective control.
Asbestos contamination
A more significant concern is land or soil that has become contaminated with asbestos due to:
- illegal dumping or burial
- unsafe demolition and removal procedures
- damage from fires and storms
- deterioration of asbestos materials
- historical use of asbestos waste as fill material for site landscaping.
The management of asbestos in soil depends on the type of material found (friable or bonded asbestos material) and the extent of contamination. A preliminary site investigation should be carried out to check the site's history and conduct soil sampling. This should be carried out by a trained environmental consultant who can also provide advice on appropriate site remediation.
<h2>Asbestos waste</h2><p>Australians dispose of more than 3,000 tonnes of asbestos waste every day and thousands of tonnes are illegally dumped each year. Illegally disposed asbestos is a risk to public health and the environment.</p>
What rules apply to asbestos in the environment?
Environment protection laws have requirements relating to the management and remediation of contaminated sites as well as the transport, storage and disposal of asbestos waste.
All states and territories have requirements to not pollute the environment or unlawfully dispose of asbestos waste.
Asbestos waste can only be disposed of at a licensed facility. There are big penalties for the illegal disposal of asbestos, which includes putting it in a domestic rubbish bin, waste skip or dumping it in the bush. There are also rules about the wrapping, labelling and transporting of asbestos waste.
Asbestos safety concerns can usually be addressed by contacting your:
- local council if the work is being conducted by a neighbour (a homeowner or tenant)
- local council or state or territory environmental regulator (e.g. Environment Protection Authority) if the concern relates to public areas or illegally dumped asbestos in parks or bushland
- your local council or environmental regulator if the concern relates to the transport and disposal of asbestos waste.
You can find more information on the environmental laws by visiting the website of the environmental regulator in your state and territory. These are also available on our contacts page.