Should we be wearing face masks as we walk past Tauranga Hospital on windy days? The rebuild of the Hospital in recent years is something to be proud of except for one sow's ear - the Pathlab Building. In particular its 'Super Six” white asbestos roof - what an embarrassment!
Now some will say that if asbestos is undisturbed it is safe, except this is a hospital that will have treated patients for asbestosis - not a good look! The questions are: Is this roof that is exposed to the elements undisturbed? In the equinox gusts that can be 70kph plus, what is the effect of high salt laden and grit winds having on the asbestos containing roof? Is there a sandblast type effect? Does anyone know? Has there ever been air samples taken above the roof on gusty days? Has a micronometre measurement been taken of the crumbly substrate to assess if the material has thinned over time during its 50 odd year history?
As the term of the current Health Board is nearing an end, what plans have they initiated during their tenure for this roof to be replaced?
I'd like to hear from the Chair and please don't tell us it's safe if there is no regular monitoring and reporting system in place for this identifiable hazard risk. Would the Medical Officer of Health be happy to have a white asbestos roof on his home roof? - For a roof at a hospital in 2013 that fronts a street, this is disgraceful.

Tim Short, Upper Ohauiti.