Asbestos-containing material (ACM) was found washed up at beaches in Glendowie, Karaka Bays and up theTāmaki River towards Panmure. Photo: Supplied / Auckland Council
Auckland Council is warning that fragments of fibre cement board washing up on beaches in East Auckland contain asbestos.
The council said 5-10cm long pieces of asbestos-containing material (ACM) were found at Glendowie and Karaka Bays.
It said small amounts of ACM were also found further up the Tāmaki River towards Panmure.
The council said warning signs had been put up at affected beaches, and cleanups were underway to remove the material.
Auckland Council's Manager of Environmental Health, Mervyn Chetty, said the risk to the public was low and people did not need to avoid the beaches.
Asbestos-containing material (ACM) was found washed up at beaches in Glendowie, Karaka Bays and up theTāmaki River towards Panmure. Photo: Supplied / Auckland Council
But he advised people not to touch the fragments if they did come across them.
"We are asking people to take a common-sense approach and to simply leave ACM alone for the council to collect.
"Dogs and children should also be prevented from picking up the material."
The council said they were continuing to investigate the source of the ACM, but Chetty said it was likely from historic construction waste.
"Unfortunately, waste disposal practices were not always what they are today. The ACM we're finding now is likely to be decades-old construction waste that was dumped near the shoreline, which over time has fragmented and dispersed along beaches due to natural processes like tides and weather."
Inhaling significant amounts of airborne asbestos can lead to respiratory issues, including lung cancer.
But Health New Zealand Medical Officer of Health Dr David Sinclair said the riskiest situation was when dust was generated from ACM being cut or damaged, such as during construction work.
"In outdoor settings such as the affected beaches, we'd expect the level of asbestos dust to be minimal, especially when the material is below the high tide mark and damp.
"However, people should inform Auckland Council if they find ACM so it can be removed, and not disturb the ACM pieces or collect them."
The council said it would continue to inspect and monitor beaches in the East Auckland area to determine the scale of the issue.
It reminded people to responsibly secure and dispose of construction and household waste, to avoid them making their way to waterways and beaches, particularly after storm events.
Anyone with information about the source of the washed-up ACM is asked to report it to healthenforcement@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.
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