Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Asbestos found in quake rubble stockpile area

Updated at 8:02 pm on 4 January 2013

The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority says it's working to cover and contain asbestos that was discovered at a stockpile area for earthquake rubble in central Christchurch.

The hazardous material comes from BNZ House in Cathedral Square, which is being demolished and was found to contain asbestos in July last year.

A spokesperson says the recovery authority commissioned an independent report after a demolition contractor found asbestos in the stockpile area near BNZ House.

The report confirmed the substance was there, and trace elements were also found at some sites surrounding BNZ House itself.

The spokesperson says the authority is working with contractors to cover and contain the asbestos at the stockpile until they figure out the best way to dispose of it.

The asbestos at the surrounding sites has been removed and further tests for the material have come back clean.

The authority says there is no risk to the public.

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