New Zealand authorities are conducting multiple investigations to determine whether or not soldiers who have been training in a building in Manawatu were exposed to asbestos.
According to an article in New Zealand News, soldiers have been training in the Longburn Freezing Works building about 3 to 4 times a year for the last 10 years, said an army official. The building was discovered to be contaminated with asbestos after a fire took place there last year.
Upon discovery of the toxic mineral, the Manawatu District Council deemed the freezing works to be "a dangerous building" and ordered its demolition, which was to take place by last October.
Army Public Relations Officer Paul Stein said the army was not aware of the asbestos problem until last month, when they were told that building owner, Ken Thurston, had not complied with the council's demolition order.
The report, says Stein, prompted the army to begin "an internal investigation to find out if or when they had ever been told of the asbestos." In the meantime, Stein says he is not aware of any soldiers currently experiencing asbestos-related medical problems.
"But then that's what the whole investigation is looking at. And from the reading I've been doing asbestos exposure can take many years to come through."
Stein also said the army would investigate whether or not the building was actually safe even before the fire occurred, exposing the presence of asbestos.
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