Asbestos Removal Queenstown

One particularly impressive area in Queenstown is the designated ‘historic precinct’ located close to Lake Dunstan which is famous for its fascinating buildings, architectural merit and several structures dating back to the notorious gold-rush era.

To safeguard the integrity of these historical buildings, preservation is a priority. During restoration, renovations, and refurbishment projects considerations has been made to ensure the buildings are restored accurately and effectively in accordance with the historical period. Architectural salvage projects such as these ensures that buildings are not unnecessarily demolished and antiques or other materials that can be restored are done so with adequate care.

As these structures have been renovated, refurbished, and restored over the years, the goal has been to ensure the building is well maintained for the future and all risks associated with older buildings are identified. In circumstances when upgrades, alterations, and additions have been approved, hazardous remediation contractors such as ANZ Enviro are often engaged to minimize this risk. When renovations are done properly and with adequate care, these buildings and the surrounding areas can be enjoyed by all for many years to come.

Older buildings constructed prior to the 1980s often contained hazardous materials including but not limited to lead containing paints, mould, as well as friable or bonded asbestos. Unfortunately, despite regulations, product bans and the encouragement of safer building options, asbestos and other hazardous materials can still be found in many buildings throughout New Zealand. These hazardous substances were very popular prior to the 1980s and primarily used within the commercial and industrial settings and as a result, sometimes these dangerous materials could also be found in residential homes.

Asbestos and other hazardous materials are often found today in unsuspecting locations. These hazards are especially concerning during demolition and deconstruction projects when builders are looking to salvage and recycle as much as possible. When undertaking older or historical projects, hazardous remediation experts such as ANZ Enviro are often engaged to identify what antiques or architecture can be salvaged and what materials may be hazardous.

Given the accessibility of hazardous materials in the past these materials and wide range of uses many of these products can often not be identified by eye and must be scientifically tested within a laboratory for confirmation. The ANZ Enviro team is qualified and equipped to assist with any demolition, deconstruction, recycling, and salvage projects whilst ensuring that hazardous remediation is performed to the highest standards.

To provide some examples of how common hazardous materials can be look further than your own or commercial
spaces:

- To provide comfort during the chilly winter season (as experienced throughout Queenstown), blow-in asbestos insulation was sometimes used. Asbestos may have been used in the backing of vinyl and linoleum floor coverings, flat and corrugated sheeting in walls or ceilings, roofing shingles, vinyl floors tiles, vinyl sheet

flooring, building adhesives, ceilings, plasterboard, eaves and within cement. Unfortunately, asbestos, and other hazardous materials can lurk almost anywhere but is especially common within older buildings which is why one must be especially careful during demolition and deconstruction projects. Due to its popularity over many decades, legacy asbestos still lurks and precautions during demolition, renovations and refurbishments must be taken. It is often very challenging to identify hazardous materials including asbestos by eye and the only way to be certain of their presence is to sample the material within a NATA accredited laboratory. Whilst the process may seem simple enough, one must always take adequate precautions if materials are suspected to contain hazardous substances. The safest way to handle a suspected hazardous material is to contact a competent and licensed professional for assistance.

- Whilst properties of any age can experience mould caused by damp, moisture filled environments older properties often have more extensive damage due to neglect through lack of maintenance or from years of deeper water penetrations. With enough condensation or in extreme cases of direct water damage, mould and deterioration can begin at a rapid rate.

- Animal droppings can often be found in unoccupied or older buildings and these pathogens (viral, bacterial, and fungal) can be very dangerous. These animal droppings must be cleaned properly before causing additional damage to the structure and building occupants.

- Lead containing paint is toxic and highly poisonous if inhaled or swallowed. In deteriorating structures or
those built prior to the 1970s, it is especially important to consider lead as it was widely used chemical element in paints for several decades. Lead paint must be removed safely by a qualified expert and disposed of as contaminated waste

Hazardous materials such as asbestos and lead paint have been prevalent over the last several decades and builders, residential clients and renovators are facing these concerns along with mould and guano. Since many of the dangerous materials were not fully banned until the 1980s it is always recommended to proceed with caution and remember and engage professionals. Buildings constructed or renovated before 1990 are likely to contain asbestos.

An additional consideration should be made to asbestos or asbestos debris found in older, brittle, and damaged buildings. As buildings age, the asbestos product can deteriorate particularly increasing the risk to health and safety.

As asbestos containing materials become disturbed or further broken during the demolition, renovation or deconstruction process, asbestos fibres can become airborne. Breathing in asbestos fibres is dangerous as it is a known carcinogen and proven to cause pulmonary diseases.

When asbestos fibres are released into the air, inhaled, or ingested they pose a serious risk to health, this is made worse with duration and intensity of asbestos exposure. It is best to avoid exposure to hazardous materials completely as there is no safe level of asbestos exposure.

When it comes to hazardous materials, if any material is suspected to contain lead paint, asbestos, mould, or guano it is recommended to stop works immediately and engage a professional. During demolition, deconstruction, or refurbishment projects it is recommended to always consider hazardous materials, associated risks and adequately prepare by engaging a professional.

The ANZ Enviro team proudly provides services to preserve older properties including those with antiques. We additionally ensure demolition services include recycling and architectural salvage.

At ANZ Enviro, we encourage less waste, better resource management practices and the recovery of supplies throughout all our projects. As such, we have developed a collaborative approach focused on improvement, regeneration, and re-use where appropriate.

The environmental impact caused by construction and demolition waste is immense. ANZ Enviro has responded to the global need to reduce this waste through recycling, salvage and deconstruction efforts whilst always ensuring that regulations and legislative standards are always strictly followed.

Aiming to reduce excess all the way through the project supply chain is an innovative approach and necessary for future growth. When required, our team can additionally provide architectural salvage and antique services alongside demolition and hazardous remediation works thus supporting better conservation decisions all the way through the project life cycle.

The ANZ Enviro remediation teams have undertaken many projects in Queenstown and many of the surrounding areas, such as Arrowtown, Wanaka, Twizel and on a daily basis we safety handle removal and disposal of hazardous materials including lead paint, mould, bonded asbestos, friable asbestos, and other hazardous materials including guano.

It is key to prevent exposure to hazardous substances noting that the mismanagement of these materials can lead to unnecessary risk. With aged and historic buildings, always take additional precautions prior to renovations and refurbishment works.

As mentioned, mcarcinogenic products such as lead paint and asbestos were once a commonly used building material. Until the 1980s asbestos was a cheap building material that was added to many products, and one should always remember that there no safe level of asbestos exposure.

If asbestos is inhaled or ingested it can cause diseases such as lung cancer, lung disease, asbestosis, and mesothelioma. ANZ Enviro is a local hazardous remediation company that provides demolition, recycling, deconstruction, salvage, antiques, and architectural salvage services.

Based in Christchurch but with remote offices throughout New Zealand’s North Island and South Island, our team is certified in asbestos removal and boasts over three decades of experience.

No project is too big or small for us to complete and we can carry out any type of hazardous remediation, demolition and regeneration works. We have proudly provided peace of mind and worked with several large commercial businesses, industrial companies, and residential clients.