Monthly Archives: March 2017

Methamphetamine traces are the highest of the illicit drugs found in Auckland and Christchurch wastewater, police tests show. The Institute of Environmental Science and Research [ESR] was commissioned by police in December to test sites in both cities to allow authorities to map drug-use patterns and give a clearer picture of where and when drugs are most commonly used.

Insurance claims for methamphetamine decontamination make up just 3 per cent of of all landlord claims, but some real estate agencies have used the scare as a reason for landlords to employ their management services. First National chief executive Bob Brereton recently said landlords managing their own properties were taking unnecessary risks. He cited work by one testing

The University of Otago’s plan to convert the former Wickliffe Press site into a multimillion-dollar car park has been delayed, and costs are mounting, following the discovery of asbestos buried at the site. The find has also prompted a subcontractor – speaking on condition of anonymity – to question whether workers were still being exposed

An increasing number of white-collar job seekers are testing positive for methamphetamine, a drug testing firm boss says. About 13.4 per cent of all positive pre-employment drug tests last year detected methamphetamine, according to figures from The Drug Detection Agency (TDDA). It is an increase of positive tests from 2015 and shows New Zealand’s ever-increasing meth problem is now creeping into the

On September 11, 2001, we were all changed forever by the terrorist acts against our country.  The first responders involved in the rescue and cleanup of the debris at the World Trade Center in New York, as well as the first responders and victims at both the Pentagon and Shanksville, Pennsylvania sites, continue to be

More details have emerged about the asbestos contamination of collections at Motat, and what it will cost ratepayers to salvage what’s worth keeping. Auckland councillors have agreed to give the museum an extra $2.1 million in the next financial year, bringing its annual funding to $15.2 million. Motat director Michael Frawley said the museum needed

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), poisoning is the leading cause of injury-related deaths in the United States, with about 2 million poisonings reported each year. Many people don’t even really consider the potential risks in their homes or the world around them. No matter what precautions are taken – such as

The following article was published on Standards New Zealand Touchstone news website. Thank you to everyone who sent us comments on the draft standard for the testing and decontamination of methamphetamine-contaminated properties (NZS 8510). NZS 8510 is aimed at methamphetamine testing and clean-up/decontamination companies; laboratories that analyse samples taken from methamphetamine contaminated properties; health, safety,

Asbestos is a dangerous toxin that needs to be handled with the utmost care. If asbestos becomes damaged, the fibers can be inhaled and cause mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases. Because it was widely used in construction, asbestos can be found in many older homes and buildings. An inspector can determine if any asbestos present

Home-owners are facing a crackdown over meth-related insurance claims as insurers raise premiums and excess levels and cap how much people can claim. IAG, which owns the brands NZI, AMI and State Insurance, has told its customers they will have to pay a higher excess for meth-related claims and they won’t be able to claim