Before You Break Ground This Season, Check for Asbestos

Even though asbestos is largely a historical hazard, it can still appear unexpectedly. Recent product recalls in New Zealand have highlighted potential contamination, making professional asbestos testing more important than ever. 

Why Asbestos Testing Matters

Asbestos fibres are invisible and can be harmful if inhaled, leading to serious long-term health issues such as mesothelioma or asbestosis. It’s not just older buildings that pose a risk, imported or recycled materials can also contain asbestos, even if products are marketed as safe.

Materials that may require testing include:

  • Magic & Kinetic Sand, and other coloured or sensory sands

  • Imported construction fill, soil, or aggregate

  • Decorative materials and recreational products

Professional testing ensures you know exactly what you’re dealing with, so you can handle materials safely and stay compliant with New Zealand health and safety regulations.

Why Asbestos Is Still a Concern in NZ

Older buildings may contain asbestos
Homes, schools, commercial buildings, and industrial sites built before 2000 often have asbestos in cladding, insulation, flooring, adhesives, and roofing materials.

Compliance requires a proactive approach
Testing is the safest way to meet compliance and avoid penalties or liability.

Protecting workers and communities matters
Airborne asbestos fibres are invisible, and exposure can cause illnesses that may only appear decades later. Testing provides clarity and peace of mind.

Take Action to Protect Your Site with Verum Group

Asbestos risk isn’t always obvious. It can appear in older buildings or unexpected materials like Magic Sand, Kinetic Sand, fill, or soil. Professional testing protects your workers, keeps you compliant, and prevents costly surprises.

Verum Group provides nationwide asbestos testing, monitoring, and consultancy, supported by accredited laboratories and experienced environmental scientists. We help organisations take control of asbestos risk with:

  • Material Sampling

    • Safe collection of suspect sands, soils, or imported products

  • Laboratory Analysis

    • Accredited testing to detect asbestos fibres and assess exposure risk

  • Risk Assessment & Reporting 

    • Clear, actionable recommendations for safe handling or removal

  • Ongoing Monitoring

    • Support for continuous safety management if materials remain on-site

By working with Verum Group, you gain confidence and peace of mind, ensuring staff and visitors remain safe while your organisation meets its legal obligations.

Contact us today to arrange asbestos testing and protect your site with confidence.

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