SYDNEY – The Australian authorities on Feb 16 cordoned off areas in several parks in Sydney after the discovery of asbestos in mulch, while schools began precautionary testing as the government scrambled to remove the toxic material from public spaces.

Asbestos was found in a playground in Sydney’s inner west in January, and subsequent investigations spotted it in recycled mulch at several locations near the park constructed above an underground road interchange.

Since then about 20 city sites, including transport projects, a primary school, a supermarket and a hospital, were confirmed to be contaminated.

Sydney City Council said it would begin inspecting 33 parks, some in popular tourist spots, and dozens of garden beds where the contaminated mulch may have been used. The testing will take up to several weeks.

About 700 students at a public school in Sydney’s south-west will be relocated to another school for several weeks after asbestos was found on campus. Inspections began at seven other schools.

The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Fair Day event, which usually draws tens of thousands of revellers, scheduled for Feb 18 was cancelled after traces of asbestos were found around the Victoria Park venue.

Asbestos became popular from the late 19th century onwards as a way to reinforce cement and for fireproofing, but research later found the inhalation of asbestos fibres could cause lung inflammation and cancer. It is now banned in much of the world.

The New South Wales state government on Feb 15 set up a task force to provide more resources and staff to help support the Environment Protection Authority’s investigations.

“This is the largest investigation the Environment Protection Authority has undertaken in recent decades. The complex, criminal investigation involves multiple lines of inquiry,” New South Wales Environment Minister Penny Sharpe said in a statement.

The government’s top priority is “contact tracing” down the supply chain, and to then facilitate testing, reporting and management of any positive results, Ms Sharpe said. REUTERS