Can You Get Sick from Contaminated Soil in NSW?

Yes, exposure to contaminated soil can cause illness, especially for children, pregnant women, and workers who disturb the ground. This article explains how contamination makes people sick, which contaminants are most common, and how professional contractors handle contaminated soil health risks NSW.

Read on to learn how site remediation will protect your family, tenants and community.

What is contaminated soil?

Contaminated soil is ground that contains harmful substances at levels above natural background or safe guidelines. In NSW, common contaminants include lead, asbestos fibres, petroleum hydrocarbons, heavy metals, and industrial chemicals.

• Contamination can come from old paint, buried waste, former workshops, fill material, or past industrial use.
• Risk depends on the contaminant type, concentration, depth, and land use.
• Undisturbed deep contamination may pose little risk until excavation or gardening brings it to the surface.

How does soil contamination happen in NSW homes and sites?

Most residential contamination in Sydney and regional NSW stems from legacy sources.

• Older homes often have lead-based paint that flakes into garden beds.
• Asbestos waste materials were often buried during past renovations.
• Former service stations, depots, or small factories can leave hydrocarbons and solvents in the soil.
• Imported fill or mulch may unknowingly introduce contaminants.

Can you get sick from contaminated soil?

Yes. People become sick when contaminants enter the body through ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact. Children are at highest risk due to hand-to-mouth behaviour and developing systems.

Which illnesses are linked to contaminated soil?

Different contaminants cause different health effects.

• Lead poisoning can lead to anaemia, kidney strain, neurological and developmental effects, especially in children.
• Asbestos fibres become airborne and may be inhaled, resulting in serious health issues, including asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.
• Hydrocarbons and solvents can cause skin irritation, headaches, dizziness, and longer-term organ effects with high or repeated exposure.

Who is most at risk?

Some groups face higher risk from the same exposure.

• Infants and toddlers, with poor immune systems and likely hand-to-mouth contact and rapid development.
• Pregnant women, because contaminants can affect foetal growth.
• Gardeners who grow food in suspect soil without testing or barriers.
• Demolition and construction workers who excavate without controls.

What are the signs your soil may be contaminated?

You cannot always see or smell contamination, but certain clues should prompt testing.

• Property built before 1970, especially with peeling paint or past renovations.
• Visible asbestos fragments, coloured fibrous material, or old cement sheets in the yard.
• Stained soil, strong chemical odours, or history of fuel/oil storage.
• Previous site uses such as workshops, garages, or small-scale industry.

Should you test soil before buying, renovating, or demolishing?

Testing is the only reliable way to know. Consider soil testing when:

• You plan to grow vegetables or allow children to play in bare soil.
• You are renovating or demolishing a pre-1970 home.
• You observe suspicious materials during excavation.
• A property manager is preparing a site for new tenants or works.

What should you do if you suspect contaminated soil?

Arrange for professional testing and remediation.

• Stop disturbing the area and limit access, especially for children.
• Avoid growing food in suspect beds until you test them.
• Contact a qualified consultant for sampling and a site assessment.
• Follow NSW EPA guidance on managing asbestos and other soil contaminants.

Step-by-step: testing and remediation process

A clear process keeps projects on track and compliant.

1. Engage a contaminated land consultant to review site history and plan sampling.
2. Collect soil samples from gardens, fill areas, and zones to be excavated.
3. Take the samples for laboratory analysis to identify the contaminant types and concentrations.
4. A remedial action plan sets out removal, treatment, or containment measures.
5. Independent validation confirms the site is suitable for its intended use.

Frequently Asked Questions: contaminated soil and health in NSW

• Can you get sick from contaminated soil?

  Yes, and children are particularly high risk, through ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact.

• What symptoms should I watch for?

  Symptoms vary by contaminant but can include developmental issues in children, respiratory problems, skin irritation, headaches, or fatigue.

• Do all old homes in NSW have contaminated soil?

  No, but pre-1970 properties and sites with past industrial use are more likely to be contaminated and should be tested.

• Is it safe to grow food and vegetables in my garden?

  Probably, but, for your continuing good health ensure soil testing shows contaminants are within guidelines, or if you use raised beds with clean soil.

• Who regulates contaminated land in NSW?

  The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) oversees contaminated land under the Contaminated Land Management Act 1997.

How Rapid Demolition can help

If you are worried your site may be contaminated and ask, “Can you get sick from contaminated soil?”, your safest path is early testing and a clear remediation plan.

Rapid Demolition is a locally owned NSW team that manages contaminated soil health risks NSW, while adhering to strict safety and environmental standards. We work with qualified consultants, follow EPA guidance, and keep communication simple and prompt.

Get in touch with our friendly team today to discuss your site and get advice on testing, remediation, and safe demolition.