Asbestos has been discovered in Kingsley Reserve playground in Glenunga, South Australia, by Burnside Council. Further asbestos was also found in the area at Glenunga Croquet Club in sheeting and pipe under a newly planted vegetable garden.
The asbestos was found by Burnside Council staff when they conducted their regular examination of the Kingsley Reserve park. Council has confirmed that both the playground and vegetable garden will be closed until the asbestos is removed from the areas. Council have also spoken out saying that the asbestos found poses a small risk to the community as testing has revealed that the asbestos fragments are not likely to become airborne.
Despite this, even minimal exposure to asbestos can lead to a person contracting an asbestos related illness such as mesothelioma. The council is making efforts to speak to all people who have been know to come in contact with the contaminated soil and to keep them up to date. These precautions are good as asbestos related illnesses are a major health concern, especially mesothelioma, which is expected to peak within the next decade.
South Australia has one of the highest incidences of asbestos related illnesses in the world. There are many mesothelioma claims in South Australia each year, and many asbestos compensation claims commenced in the Adelaide Court. There is specific legislation in South Australia designed to assist South Australian’s suffering asbestos conditions pursue a claim for asbestos compensation in South Australia.
