Samples confirm no contamination of abestos

Environmental samples taken following the fire at the former Waipukurau Hospital on Monday (January 25) have confirmed that no contamination of asbestos occurred off site.

Hawke’s Bay District Health Board Medical Officer of Health Nicholas Jones said sample results returned today (January 27) showed no asbestos was present in the ash.

Dr Jones said samples were taken as a precaution and collected at multiple sites ranging from very close to about a kilometre away from the site of the fire.

Air sampling would be carried out over the next few days to ensure the fire had not disturbed any other asbestos, but the risk of this was very low, he said.

The Public Health Unit was working closely with the property owner as well as Central Hawke’s Bay District Council, the fire department and other government agencies to reduce the risk the property now posed to public health.

“Buildings on the site are generally in a state of disrepair and very dangerous. Many are known to contain asbestos. The public should stay away from the site and prevent exposing themselves to asbestos and falling debris,“ Dr Jones said

Central Hawke’s Bay District Council’s chief executive John Freeman reinforced those comments and urged the public to stay away.

“Please take these warnings very seriously. Signs have been erected warning the public of the danger and people should keep out. Anyone who doesn’t adhere to those notices would be on the property at their own risk,” he said.

Property owner Jason Dempsey also asked the public to remember the site was private property and anyone entering the former Waipukurau Hospital without permission could be charged with trespass.