It’s unfortunate, but asbestos-contaminated soil can be found on properties throughout Australia. Even properties that have previously been declared asbestos-free can sometimes contain traces of asbestos. The proliferation of the asbestos industry over many decades saw large numbers of manufacturing plants appear all over the country. Once the dangers of asbestos were established and these plants were shut down, many of these sites left behind areas of soil laced with small and large quantities of asbestos fibres.
Demolished buildings that originally contained asbestos can also leave asbestos debris in the soil. Especially if they were not demolished by asbestos experts, which was the norm before the early 80’s. Illegal dumping of asbestos products has seen some properties left with asbestos contaminated soil too. In these instances, the fragmentation of the asbestos products increases the risk of dangerous fibres entering the soil and air.