The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has confirmed the presence of asbestos in samples from illegally dumped waste along the Gilmour Road rail reserve in Sunshine North.
In a statement released late on Wednesday, the EPA revealed smaller residual asbestos fibres have been confirmed in material taken from the eastern side of the rail corridor, which is located directly behind the Westend Markets – the former Wunderlich site that has been linked to 16 asbestos-related deaths.
Damaged fences along the rail corridor are being fixed and signs are being put in place to warn people about asbestos danger.
Air monitoring, however, shows no evidence of airborne asbestos fibres.
The revelation comes just days after an investigation that has linked the Sunshine North site to more than 20 asbestos exposure cases.
VicTrack, which owns land in question, is required to undertake clean-up of the illegally dumped waste.
The EPA has also called on the neighbouring Fuchs Lubricants factory to provide information on its site works over the past two years.
Meanwhile, Health Minister David Davis has appointed an “expert advisory group” to provide the government with scientific and technical advice on the former Wunderlich factory.
“The reports of residents from the area experiencing a range of illnesses are very concerning,” Mr Davis said.
“The [health] department has already asked the Victorian cancer registry to conduct an urgent, detailed analysis of the data it has about cancer-related diseases in the area. This will include mesothelioma and other lung cancers.
“What we are seeing is the unfortunate legacy of practices that may not have been considered risky at the time.
“A lack of knowledge about how to handle asbestos and the potential health dangers has caused illness in people many decades after their exposure.”
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