“There will be a visible police presence in the area for the next couple of hours while the NZDF s EOD unit disposes of the material safely,” a police statement said. In a statement Nelson City Council said items from the park’s collection were being investigated for picric acid. “Picric acid was widely used in early forms of medicine and medical supplies, including on gauze pads, and as an antiseptic. It is a volatile substance sensitive to heat, frictions and shock and has been used as a military explosive. “Any items considered hazardous will be removed for safe disposal off site.”
A childcare centre and a building on a marae have been evacuated following the discovery of explosive material in a Nelson park.
There will be a visible police presence at Founders Heritage Park for the next few hours (file picture).
Photo: RNZ / Tracy Neal
Members of the public are urged to avoid Founders Heritage Park in Atawhai Drive while the Defence Force s explosive ordnance disposal unit assesses the material.
The park s carpark has also been closed as a safety precaution.
Police said there would be a visible police presence in the area for the next couple of hours while the unit disposed of the material safely.
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Tuesday, 20 July 2021, 1:38 pm
Nelson City Council has closed Founders Heritage Park
while the Defence Force’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit
(EOD) assesses potentially hazardous materials found among
the Park’s collection.
Council, along with many
other organisations around the country, recently carried
out a review of the collection at Founders Heritage Park
following the discovery of picric acid in a Southland
museum.
An examination of the Park’s inventory
found a number of bottles and other items containing
potentially hazardous substances. Picric acid is suspected
to be present, but this has not been confirmed.
Picric
acid was widely used in early forms of medicine and medical