Seeing asbestos a lot in the news lately? Here’s the wrap up!

Asbestos has long been a major issue in New Zealand homes and properties, but it seems like it has been causing even more problems than usual lately.

While asbestos getting a lot of attention lately should not be a cause for alarm, it is a good reminder of how dangerous and costly it can be. If nothing else, it can serve as a call for homeowners, property managers, and PCBUs to get their older properties checked for asbestos – and perhaps to organise for asbestos removal as well. 

Meth and asbestos contamination forces demolition of Gore Motor Camp buildings

Earlier this year, a number of buildings at a Southland campground were demolished after asbestos and methamphetamine contamination was discovered on site.

The former motor camp had closed at the start of the year, and the residents living there were given seven weeks to vacate the premises.

‘‘Investigations found asbestos in construction materials and confirmed significant methamphetamine contamination inside several buildings,’’ a council spokesman said.

As yet, there are no new plans for the site.

Parents take Kmart to Disputes Tribunal over play sand containing asbestos

A huge story lately has been the discovery of asbestos in a sand made for kids to play with. The coloured sand products were recalled by Kmart in November of last year, which left many families questioning how to deal with the potential fallout at home. 

In fact, families and daycare centres were reportedly throwing out the items, as well as ripping up carpets and having their properties tested for asbestos contamination. 

Now, some affected families are taking their case to the Disputes Tribunal to sue for damages from retailer Kmart. 

The total costs they incurred were in the “tens of thousands”, said one.

Asbestos to be removed from Balclutha Museum collection

The Balclutha Museum has also been in the news lately because they have a ‘considerable number’ of items in their collection that cannot be handled due to asbestos contamination. 

As a result, the Otago Community Trust has given $10,000 to go towards assessing and cleaning the items. The museum requested a total of $32,000 for the entire project, so they are continuing to seek funding to cover the cost of the work. 

“A lot of the items need to be de-accessioned or assessed. And of course, we can’t touch them … So, the cleaning process really needs to happen as soon as possible so we can get all that sorted,” explained Museum curator Dr Roz McKechnie.

Dr Roz went on to explain that once the items were safely removed and cleaned, further testing of the site itself could get underway.

Warehouse recalls sand products after asbestos test

In a similar story to the product recall at Kmart, retailer The Warehouse has also recalled a number of asbestos-contaminated children’s sand play products. 

The Warehouse sold a total of 4678 units before the issue was discovered and the products recalled. 

According to the company’s own testing, no products had tested positive for asbestos. However, because there was a positive result from the same batch of items in a Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment (MBIE) test, the entire line has been recalled. 

Get efficient, safe asbestos removal with the experts

In all, asbestos continues to make it into the news for the potential danger it brings. Whether that’s in housing, old museums, or even children’s products, it can pop up and become an expensive hazard just about anywhere. 

If you have had a positive asbestos test in your home, getting it dealt with as quickly and efficiently as possible could be the best route forward. PROES provides expert asbestos removal in a number of areas, including Wellington, Waikato, Gisborne, Marlborough, and the West Coast.

Contact us today for a free, no-obligation quote.