Sydney reopens beaches after tar ball mystery

Beaches successful the Australian metropolis of Sydney person reopened for swimmers aft being closed earlier this week erstwhile thousands of mysterious achromatic tar-like balls washed ashore, prompting wellness concerns.

Officials accidental tests recovered the balls to beryllium formed from chemicals akin to those successful cosmetics and cleaning products but it is inactive unclear wherever they came from.

Eight beaches including Bondi - the city's astir celebrated - were closed and a monolithic clean-up ordered amid fears the achromatic deposits were toxic.

New South Wales's Environment Minister, Penny Sharpe, said investigations were continuing to found the root of the contamination and who was responsible.

The state's maritime authorization said the balls were not highly toxic to humans but should not beryllium touched oregon picked up.

"Based connected proposal from the Environment Protection Authority, we tin present corroborate the balls are made up of fatty acids, chemicals accordant with those recovered successful cleaning and cosmetic products, mixed with immoderate substance oil," said New South Wales Maritime Executive Director Mark Hutchings.

The New South Wales Environment Protection Authority (EPA) said laboratory investigating was continuing, to effort to find wherever the balls came from, Reuters quality bureau reports.

"It is inactive somewhat of a enigma and whitethorn instrumentality a fewer much days to find origin," said EPA Executive Director Stephen Beaman.

The tar balls were "not harmful erstwhile connected the crushed but should not beryllium touched oregon picked up", Mr Hutchings was quoted arsenic saying by Australian broadcaster ABC.

"If you spot these balls, study them to a lifeguard. If you oregon your household accidentally touches one, lavation your hands with soap and h2o oregon babe oil."