Meet the scientist who, with her team and funding from the Waste Minimisation Fund, has made a ground-breaking discovery when it comes to the dangers posed by asbestos in our environment – and who is going on the bike ride of her life for charity.
In 2019, Dr Terri-Ann Berry founded Unitec’s Environmental Solutions Research Centre (ESRC). The newly founded centre has focused on exploring ways to reduce the harmful impacts caused by asbestos.
Our aim in the centre has been to use science and engineering to find practical solutions for better environmental outcomes.
“Since 2013 we have been looking at issues created by using asbestos-containing materials in New Zealand. Historically, asbestos was commonly used in building materials and can be hard to identify. Over time, and for various reasons, asbestos fibres have ended up in soil, in both urban and rural environments.
“We quickly realised that we were looking at a lot of asbestos contaminated soil, which led us to ask the questions: is there a way to reduce the amount of asbestos-contaminated soil in New Zealand, to protect landfill capacity, reduce costs of disposal and prevent any harmful health impacts it can cause? Can we do this by effectively bioremediating asbestos contaminated soil, through use of naturally occurring organisms?”
Asbestos is a carcinogen, which means, when asbestos fibres become airborne and are inhaled, they may lead to cancers such as lung cancer and Mesothelioma (a cancer of the lining of the body organs).
Asbestos-containing materials have been used in over 3000 manufactured products such as floor and ceiling tiles, surfacing materials, and thermal insulation around pipes and boilers to name a few.
With $400,000 in funding from the Waste Minimisation Fund, Dr Berry and her team took samples of asbestos-contaminated soil and materials to find out if natural organisms such as fungi can help break down the asbestos fibres and reduce its harmful impact.
The funding from the Ministry for the Environment has meant that we have been able to upscale our testing to develop that potential process of bioremediating soil that is impacted by asbestos.
“Bioremediating is a process where microorganisms like fungi are used to break down environmental pollutants like asbestos.”
Working alongside a team in Italy, the results have shown that the structure of asbestos fibres undergo changes when exposed to these natural organisms that may lead to a reduction in carcinogenicity and eventual break down.
On top of the amazing mahi that Dr Berry and her team of researchers have achieved, Dr Berry has helped set up the Mesothelioma Support and Asbestos Awareness Trust (MSAA).
The charity has two main objectives: to support those affected by mesothelioma and raise awareness to prevent future exposure to asbestos.
“Mesothelioma, a type of cancer, is almost solely caused by exposure to asbestos. People can be exposed without realising that they have been exposed. MSAA aims to advocate, support, and connect with people who get diagnosed every year.”