The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has today confirmed the presence of bonded asbestos in mulch applied at Liverpool West Public School.
The EPA identified the public primary school as a priority site for testing after its investigation revealed mulch from the same manufacturer that supplied mulch to the Rozelle Interchange and Transport Infrastructure sites had been used at the school.
NSW EPA Chief Executive Tony Chappel said the EPA was concerned by the results and would be working around the clock to ensure the safety of the school community.
“On Friday afternoon (9 February), I was advised the school was a potential site. As a result, our officers and a licensed asbestos assessor were sent out first thing Saturday morning to test and this afternoon, we were notified that one sample contained a single piece of bonded asbestos.
“We are supporting the school and the Department of Education to urgently secure the site and ensure the contaminated mulch is cleaned up and replaced tomorrow.
“We understand that finding asbestos at a school is extremely concerning for families and we are working as quickly as possible to get to the bottom of this situation.
“We thank the community for their ongoing patience and trust as we continue this complex investigation.”
The NSW Department of Education has enacted its asbestos protocol and as a precaution, the school will operate with remote learning on Monday, February 12 and Tuesday, February 13.
As part of its investigation the EPA has conducted more than 100 tests at sites across Sydney, with thirteen returning a positive result for bonded asbestos, which NSW Health advises is low risk to public health.
If you have concerns about mulch you have recently received, please contact the EPA Environment Line on 131 555 or at info@epa.nsw.gov.au.
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