Asbestos is a naturally-occurring mineral and can typically be found in rock, sediment or soil. It has strong fibres that are heat resistant and have good insulating properties. Asbestos becomes a health risk when its fibres are released into the...
Read moreExpert warns about dangers of Asbestos
During this time of pandemic, Kiwis have turned to tackle DIY home renovations that prompted health experts to warn about the dangers of asbestos. For 79-year-old Palmerston North resident, Maureen Saville life isn’t quite as it used to be...
Read moreErionite and Malignant Mesothelioma
Asbestos-induced malignant mesothelioma (MM) remains a global public health concern, including in New Zealand. Construction and building trades workforce has the highest mesothelioma incidence. There is also an increasing concern in...
Read moreCounting Fibres – Phase Contrast vs T.E.M.
In this month’s tech talk we are exploring the difference between two types of analytical techniques for counting airborne fibre concentrations, Phase Contrast Microscopy (PCM) and Trans Electron Microscopy (TEM). Even though both approaches...
Read moreAsbestos-contaminated coastal walkway in Timaru remains close
A Popular coastal walkway in Timaru has been closed for 16 months and regular users of the track are keen to know when it will reopen. The discovery of exposed asbestos on a section north of Smithfield Beach led to an investigation and the...
Read moreWorkSafe Safety Alert: Non-Compliant Respiratory Protection
WorkSafe New Zealand has issued a safety alert about non-compliant respiratory protection on the market. The alert highlights the issue of non-compliant and unapproved respiratory protective equipment being marketed as compliant. Respiratory...
Read moreMotueka company fined for mismanagement of asbestos removal
A boat sales and servicing business in New Zealand’s Nelson district has been fined $108,000 after the company has failed in its responsibility to ensure the health and safety of its workers undertaking demolition work in Motueka. Bays Boating...
Read moreBio: Asbestos Vinyl Sheeting
The material under the spotlight this month is vinyl sheeting. Extremely popular floor covering in which we see many samples positive for the presence of chrysotile asbestos. This is generally found in a paperbacked textile, glued to the...
Read moreFocusAnalytics COVID-19 Update
The COVID-19 virus has become a significant risk not only to the health and wellbeing of our communities, but also our businesses. We are taking the following steps to ensure that you are well protected, as well as ensuring that we have your...
Read moreAsbestos-Contaminated Talc Found in Eyeshadow Palettes Sold Online
The Scientific Analytical Institute (SAI) in Greensboro, N.C, revealed that they have found traces of asbestos-contaminated talc in two new eyeshadow cosmetic products sold on online platforms like Amazon and eBay. The laboratory test found...
Read moreTapes vs Ghost Wipes
Without a doubt, one of the biggest ‘grey-areas’ for asbestos site validation, is how areas are deemed as ‘clear’ or if additional cleaning/decontamination is required. As Focus only provides analytical services, we tend...
Read moreFocus Analytics Opens Up Soil Lab
Focus Analytics looks to extend its services to the industry with the opening of their qualitative and semi-quantitative asbestos in soil process area/laboratory.
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