Asbestos expert says monitoring needed at burn

The potential hazards of asbestos are highlighted after a fire brigade training exercise in Taupo. Luke Kirkeby reports.

An asbestos disposal expert says people should have been kept away from a controlled burn of several houses in Taupo that had the dangerous substance in them.

Terry Coleman, a member of the New Zealand Demolition and Asbestos Association (NZDAA), said bystanders should never have been allowed near the Spa Rd site of three houses that were set alight as part of a fire brigade training exercise a week ago.

The presence of asbestos was unknown at the time and a large crowd of onlookers watched the exercise.

Coleman, CEDA Environmental asbestos consultancy company chief executive, who has more than 30 years’ experience in the industry, said he was constantly amazed at the recklessness surrounding asbestos in New Zealand.

‘‘You would be surprised by how many people we come across who know someone who has had problems related to asbestos exposure or who has died from it,’’ he said.

‘‘With all the rules and regulations which should be in place why does this happen in today’s society?’’

Coleman said if asbestos was found before the burn there should have been air monitoring to ensure nothing had been missed.

The responsible party for ensuring there was no contamination on neighbours’ properties was a ‘‘grey area’’.

‘‘Now that it has been burnt there needs to be proper communication between the owners of the problem and neighbours, but you would have to seek a legal opinion on who is responsible,’’ he said.

While the risk to people was likely to be minimal, WorkSafe New Zealand needed to be notified, and an action and removal plan put in place, he said.

Authorities are now dealing with the site but no-one has yet claimed responsibility.

Central Lakes Fire Service assistant area commander Hamish Smith said the service was working with the public heath service and the Taupo District Council.

‘‘Prior to the burn, the [New Zealand Fire Service] had been advised by the contractor on behalf of the owner that all asbestos had been removed,’’ Smith said.

However, he said that after completion of the exercise, asbestos was found.

Taupo District Council consents and regulatory manager David Greaves said no formal approval for the burn needed to be given by the council.

‘‘The New Zealand Fire Service used this as an exercise, which is a permitted activity under the Regional Plan and they did all the preparation work,’’ Greaves said.

‘‘We were aware the exercise was taking place but only became involved once it was suspected asbestos was present. Had this not occurred we would have had no involvement at all.

‘‘The Taupo District Council, Waikato Regional Council and the Medical Officer of Health have visited the site, and potentially affected properties, and concluded no further testing is required.

Bay of Plenty District Health Board medical officer of health James Miller advised people to stay away while the site was being cleared.

Green Party co-leader Russel Norman says there is a huge difference between the purity of the waters of the Blue Spring and the rest of New Zealand’s waterways.