Questions and answers

Dioxins

Health Support Service for Dioxin Exposed People

On 1 July 2008, the Ministry of Health launched a new health service for people who were exposed to dioxin from the former Ivon Watkins Dow (IWD) factory in Paritutu, New Plymouth. The Service is available from 1 July 2008 in Taranaki. It will be available in all other parts of New Zealand from 1 October 2008.

How to use the service
For more information about using the Health Support Service, refer to the information below.

Who is eligible?

You may be eligible for this service if you lived or worked or went to school near the former IWD factory between 1962 and 1987. Your friends and family may also be eligible for the service.

If you are eligible, you are entitled to an annual health check-up from your primary care team. The exact content of the check-up will depend on your health needs. You may also be referred to other health services like smoking cessation, physical activity and nutrition support, primary mental health care, or genetic counselling. Serum dioxin testing may also be available in some circumstances.

To use this Service, you will need to make an application to have your eligibility assessed. Application forms and guidance are available on this website. Other useful information includes information about dioxin exposure and its association with adverse health effects, and detailed information about the Service.

If you have any questions about making an application, or your eligibility, you can call the Health Support Service Information Line (0800 288 588).