Whakatāne’s Citizens Advice Bureau has been temporarily relocated to a meeting room at the Whakatāne District Council Civic Centre while tests are undertaken to determine whether flooring material in the CAB office on Boon Street is contaminated with asbestos.

Concern about the possibility of asbestos contamination was raised by CAB staff on Friday, as linoleum and adhesive residue on the floor was being sanded-off in preparation for new floor coverings. Early advice indicates that the age of the material removed meant asbestos material could have been used in the linoleum backing.

Samples of both the linoleum and dust from the sanding process have been sent to a specialist laboratory in Auckland to confirm whether asbestos is present. If that is the case, the building will be decontaminated by a specialist asbestos removal contractor.

Until the situation is clarified and the safety of contractors and CAB staff is assured, the CAB building will remain closed. CAB operations will continue from the Civic Centre in the meantime.

Airborne asbestos fibre can be a significant health hazard, but concerns about health problems usually arise some years after prolonged exposure.

The flooring replacement had been initiated by the CAB, but as the building owner, the project was being managed by the Council.