Air monitor shows asbestos risk minimal after Wickham fire

A council spokeswoman said the results from the March 22 mowing trial in the park's sporting oval had been independently analysed.

"[They] showed asbestos fibre concentrations below the limit threshold of 0.01 fibres/ml of air for all samples - that is, no increase above normal background levels," she said.

"Dust swabs of the mower used for the trial were also clear of any traces of asbestos.

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"In addition, dust swabs taken from the children's playground slide, swing set and jungle gym were also all clear of asbestos.

"These results will now inform the decisions regarding the resumption of normal park maintenance operations and community sport at Islington Park."

Students returned to Islington Public School on Friday.

The Newcastle Herald has reported residents have raised concerns about the mowing trial and the inconsistency of the clean up.

A government spokesperson said Public Works Advisory had conducted extensive surveys of destroyed roof material deposits in the neighbourhood and streets, which had guided the clean-up.

"The most exposed area includes the adjacent apartment blocks where residents were evacuated from," he said.

"These residents have now been given the all clear to return home after extensive cleaning was carried out."

He said the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) had received reports of asbestos debris affecting homes in Wickham, Islington, Maryville, Tighes Hill and Waratah.

"As the distance increases from the site of the fire, the asbestos fragments decrease in size, and are more likely to wash into roof gutters," he said.

"Public Works Advisory's asbestos contractors are currently working to remove and clean affected gutters.

"The height limit for work on gutters has been determined by safe accessibility.

"To date, cleaning of gutters has occurred using ladders or mobile scaffold.

"The height limit for the standing plate on a mobile scaffold deck is three metres high.

"Contractors are working on a mobile platform at three metres, which give a total height reach of 4.5 metres.

"This means gutters up to 4.5 metres high can be cleaned by the PWA contractors. PWA is doing an assessment of the clean up to date, and will consider any further actions required."

The spokesman said roof cleaning was being undertaken "in the area most affected" by asbestos debris and fragments [The Wool Shed and apartments immediately adjacent to the fire site] where larger fragments have not blown or been washed away.

He said cranes and workers were cleaning roofs to remove these larger fragments.

"Roofs outside the most affected area have been found to only have small fragments, which are being cleaned by contractors," he said.

"Public Works Advisory is undertaking a quality assurance program to confirm the success of the cleaning program."

The spokesman said cars "in the area most affected by asbestos debris and fragments, including adjacent to Milford Street", had been externally cleaned.

He said residents could open windows and use air conditioners, saying air monitoring results in more than 650 samples had shown no asbestos fibres above background levels normally present.

"This advice is consistent with research that shows that airborne asbestos fibres during and after fires are not generated in significant quantities, and do not exceed typical background levels once the fire is extinguished," he said.

"Rain soon after the fire was also helpful in minimising any potential asbestos fibres from the air."

Residents had raised concerns about only the properties bordering the fire site being eligible for internal cleaning.

"Air monitoring and subsequent independent testing confirms that there were negligible levels of asbestos fibres inside homes closest to the fire, and therefore homes further away from the fire do not require internal cleaning," he said.

The spokesman said assessors were focused "on the area impacted by the fire"and properties outside these suburbs were considered to be "very low risk of being affected by asbestos".

Owners affected by asbestos debris are asked to call the EPA on 131 555. He said people who find minor fragments or would like further information could visit the EPA website.

He said more than 1000 homes were given a factsheet and flyer about the incident, how to identify if they have been impacted and how to make reports to the EPA and Fire and Rescue NSW and licenced asbestos specialists had been door knocking close to the fire site. He said residents were also invited to attend public meetings and two community drop-in sessions to talk to government agencies responding to the fire and recovery.

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