Summer campaigns help keep renovators and gardeners safe
The EPA rolled out three campaigns this summer to promote safe handling of lead, soil fill and asbestos when renovating or gardening.
Testing for lead in old paint surfaces before renovating
The campaigns are reaching regional and targeted audiences though social media and the internet.
Recently launched, the Stay safe from lingering lead campaign is targeting Wollongong, Newcastle and Inner West Sydney, all high-density council areas with high numbers of older houses and industrial sites with lead paint or lead in the soil.
EPA Senior Technical Officer Cameron Jennings hopes the messaging will encourage tradespeople and home owners to use a lead-paint test kit before starting to work on old paint surfaces, and both renovators and gardeners to wear protective gear.
“This includes wearing an approved P2 mask for painting work and gloves for gardening – and also taking care to wash clothes and produce after renovating or gardening,” Cameron said.
The three councils are supporting the campaign by sharing the message and Wollongong Council has included a companion brochure in their rates notice mailout to over 60,000 households. Check out the videos.
Cameron also conducted lead safety workshops at Bunnings in all three council areas in February and March.
Free fill – is it worth it?
The EPA launched a community awareness campaign in December to remind residents across NSW thinking of undertaking any DIY works – particularly those in rural or semi-rural areas – to think twice when it comes to free fill. If the ‘dirt deal’ seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Fill is soil excavated from one site and used as a base material in building, landscaping or general fill somewhere else. Unfortunately, the EPA and councils receive regular reports of fill being delivered to unsuspecting property owners with promises that it is clean and harmless, only to find that it is contaminated with building and demolition waste, general rubbish, chemicals, heavy metals or even asbestos.
EPA’s campaign urges tradespeople, gardeners and renovators to be wary of using online classified websites, responding to flyers or taking up doorknock offers for free or cheap fill material. Check out the videos.
Asbestos is often found under tiles in older style bathrooms
Is asbestos lurking in your home?
Another campaign launched by the EPA in November 2019 is warning NSW residents to be vigilant when renovating or building because asbestos lurks in more places than you’d think.
Over 3,000 products containing asbestos were widely used in Australian homes and workplaces before asbestos was banned in 2003.
Director of Contaminated Land Management Arminda Ryan said the EPA is urging do-it-yourself renovators and tradies to be extra vigilant and be aware that asbestos can lurk in more places than you think.
“You can’t always tell what products contain asbestos just by looking at them. It can be hard to tell the difference between products with and without asbestos as some companies manufactured identical-looking products after the asbestos ban,” Arminda said
Everyday products or places that could contain asbestos include roofs, insulation, kitchen splashbacks, behind electricity meter boxes, under lino, some carpets and tiles, and garden sheds.