Ministry of Health's involvment in dioxins

Dioxins
Ministry of Health's involvement in dioxins

The Ministry of Health’s involvement in dioxins is two-fold:

the non-occupational health effects in the population, and whether adequate treatment is available to those who may be suffering from the effects of dioxin exposure
a whole-of-government co-ordinating role.

Non-occupational health effects in the New Plymouth population

Because of concerns by residents that illnesses might be attributed to dioxin exposures from the former Ivon Watkins-Dow plant in New Plymouth, the Ministry of Health proposed a serum dioxin study of selected residents who live or did live at Paritutu, the nearest suburb to the plant.

Find out about the serum dioxin study in Paritutu
Find out about the Health Support Service for Dioxin Exposed People

Organochlorines Technical Advisory Group

The Ministry of Health has established an Organochlorines Technical Advisory Group.

It will provide the Deputy Director-General, Public Health, with high quality, scientific and technical advice on public health issues arising from exposures and effects of organochlorines (dioxins, PCPs, PCBs and other organochlorines) in New Zealand.

Find out more about the Organochlorines Technical Advisory Group