Asbestos Found in Chinese-Made Wind Turbine Parts Used in Australia

An emergency safety response has been sparked after the discovery of asbestos inside Chinese-made wind turbine brake pads imported for use in Australia.

Australia banned the importation of asbestos and asbestos-containing goods in 2003.

The contaminated products are understood to have been supplied by 3S, a major supplier of components to the Australian wind energy sector.

The brake pads were discovered at windfarms run by Goldwind Australia, whose parent company is China’s Xinjiang Goldwind Science and Technology Co.

Goldwind Australia operates several wind farms along Australia’s east coast.

WorkSafe Victoria says it is working with the company to investigate the issue.

“WorkSafe Victoria is aware that asbestos-containing material has recently been identified in brake pads imported into Australia and supplied for use in wind turbine tower lifts across a number of jurisdictions,” a WorkSafe Victoria spokesperson told The Epoch Times.

“WorkSafe is working with the product supplier as well as other interstate and national regulators to determine and communicate associated risks and control measures, which include ensuring access to impacted wind turbine towers is restricted until the products can be safely removed and replaced with a suitable alternative.”

White asbestos (chrysotile) contains microscopic fibres that, when inhaled, can cause scarring in lung tissue and lead to cancers like mesothelioma.

Other Chinese-Made Products Under Scrutiny

The news comes just days after the discovery of both tremolite and chrysotile in Chinese-manufactured children’s play sand sold in major Australian retailers.

The discovery prompted a major national recall and led to the closure of dozens of schools.

The affected sand products were sold between 2020 and 2025 through retailers such as Officeworks, Educating Kids, Modern Teaching Aids, and Zart Art.

Supplier Educational Colours initiated the recall after contamination was confirmed.

Consumers were also warned not to place the sand in standard rubbish bins, but to seek guidance on disposal at local asbestos waste centres.

The Epoch Times has contacted Goldwind Australia for comment.

What Do Brake Pads Do in Turbines?

Wind turbine brake pads are used to stop the rotor during maintenance, bring it to a halt in emergencies, lock the turbines during dangerously high winds, and act as a fail-safe in case aerodynamic braking proves insufficient.

They typically measure 8 to 40 centimetres, and most systems use two to eight pads. The pads generally require replacing once every four to five years.