13th December 2013
Mr Tim Stewart
Board of Trustees Chair
Kelburn Normal School
16 Kowhai Rd
Kelburn 6012
Wellington
Dear Tim
Re:
Asbestos at Kelburn Normal School
Many thanks for the invitation to discuss asbestos risks today with the parents and
caregivers of children at Kelburn Normal School.
The health risk from asbestos exposure to school children is low. Everyone is
exposed to low levels of asbestos and the vast majority of people will never have
asbestos related problems. Most people who develop asbestos-related disease have
been workers in industries like construction where the frequently breathed in large
amount of asbestos fibres over many years.
I commend the Board of Trustees for taking a cautionary approach.
Regards
Dr Stephen Palmer
Medical Officer of Health
Regional Public Health, Hutt Valley District Health Board, High Street, Private Bag 31-907, Lower Hutt 5040, New Zealand
Telephone 04 570 9002, Facsimile 04 570 9211, Email RPH@huttvalleydhb.org.nz, Web www.rph.org.nz