Emergency and defence personnel have been called to several schools over the past two days to deal with the disposal of chemical substances.
Schools affected by the discoveries of what was reported to be Tollens’ reagent, containing silver ions and ammonia, on Tuesday and Wednesday were in Auckland, Horowhenua and Wellington.
Cordons were lifted around a Porirua high school on Wednesday afternoon after “potentially volatile chemicals” were disposed of with a controlled explosion.
Emergency services were called to the incident at Mana College in Takapūwāhia at around 8.55am on Wednesday after the substance was found in a storeroom. The campus was emptied.
No one had been hurt, according to the school and police.
“All students are safe and under full supervision.”
The NZ Defence Force’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team was called to the school, and they made the substance safe at a neighbouring park with a controlled explosion.
The “potentially volatile chemicals” were disposed of with a controlled explosion at a neighbouring park. (Source: 1News)
Students were released in stages by year level. Year 9 students were held in the school hall, where parents and caregivers could collect them in person.
The school said Year 9 students would not be allowed to leave on their own without confirmed consent. Caregivers who wanted their child to make their own way home had to reply directly to the school email giving explicit permission.
Students in Years 10 to 13 are being released immediately to head home.
The school said Te Whare Ako students were making their own arrangements, and asked parents to contact them directly for updates.
‘Chemical substance’ removed from Auckland school science lab
Emergency services were also called to an Auckland high school after a “chemical substance” was removed from a science lab and disposed of today.
A New Zealand Defence Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal team responded to a request for assistance from police at One Tree Hill College in Penrose.
“A chemical substance was removed from a science lab and safely disposed of by the team.”
A Fire and Emergency NZ spokesperson said three trucks and a hazardous materials command unit remained at the scene.
“We are working with the NZDF appliance to render the substances safe.
“The area has been evacuated.”
Fire and Emergency was unable to confirm the scale of the evacuation area.
Third incident in as many days
Yesterday, a high school in Levin was also evacuated as a precaution after a potentially unstable chemical was discovered in a science laboratory.
Police were alerted at about 10.20am after a science technician found a flask containing a substance that was identified as potentially unstable at Horowhenua College.
The substance was reported to be a solution, known as Tollens’ reagent, which contained silver ions and ammonia.
Emergency services, including police, fire and ambulance crews, attended the school, while the New Zealand Defence Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal team was called in to assess and remove the material.
That substance was also safely disposed of in the school’s back field at about 3pm, under the supervision of experts.
Timely reminder for schools to check
An Education Ministry spokesperson said the incidents were a “timely” reminder for schools to take stock of what they were storing.
Te Rangipai Renata, acting director of education for Greater Wellington, said schools were responsible for storing, handling and disposing of chemicals safely.
“The incidents are a timely reminder for schools to review the chemicals they have on site and check they are being stored, managed and disposed of appropriately.
“If a school is concerned about a chemical on site, it should seek specialist advice. If there is an immediate safety risk, the school should contact emergency services and avoid moving or handling the substance.
“Schools should follow the advice of emergency services and other relevant specialists if concerns are identified.”