On 06 Jan 2019, rbowman wrote in
alt.home.repair:

It isn't hazardous by any definition I know of but as you probably
know if you removed it, it can be miserable stuff to work with.
Maybe the trash crew didn't want to spend the day itching.

They wouldn't have to have touched it, just give the barrel a second
shake. But I know from observation that they don't try too hard, and
this was after the New Year holiday, so maybe they were hurrying to
catch up.