Media Release

27 March 2007

Paritutu residents to have say on health services

Paritutu residents will be asked about their health service needs, as part of a Ministry of Heath-led programme for groups exposed to dioxin.

The terms of reference for the project, to design and consult on options for a health support programme, were released today.

The programme is being developed to address the health needs of residents and former residents of the New Plymouth suburb of Paritutu exposed to dioxin from the former Ivon Watkins-Dow (IWD) plant. This exposure occurred between 1962 and 1987 when IWD manufactured the herbicide 2,4,5-T at the plant.

Dr Douglas Lush, Senior Advisor, Public Health Medicine, said the Ministry wanted to ensure services are provided that would help manage the possible heath effects of the dioxin exposure, and address the community’s concerns. He said the Ministry has considered the results of the 2005 blood serum study, and the possible related health effects.

“It is clear from this study that in the past some Paritutu residents were exposed to dioxin at levels significantly above those of the general New Zealand population, and that based on international findings this may cause increased rates of disease, in particular cancer.

“The increased risk is thought to be for residents and former residents of Paritutu who lived for at least 15 years within 400m south and 1km east of the plant during the years the plant manufactured 2,4,5-T between 1962 and 1987.”

The Ministry is proposing a health support programme for people likely to have been exposed while living in Paritutu between 1962 and 1987, based on:

• an early intervention programme (which could provide, for example, an initial health assessment and annual follow-up visits)
• ongoing health information and technical support for clinicians and other health professionals serving dioxin exposed residents.

The project will consider eligibility criteria for the inclusion of people likely to have been exposed to emissions from the former IWD plant in the early intervention programme. The Ministry is also interested in considering whether the programme should include people exposed historically to dioxin through other means, for example former timber workers who worked with the timber treatment chemical pentachlorophenol.

The terms of reference are to research, scope and consult on options for such a programme, including to:

• review existing research
• define the criteria for accessing the proposed services
• develop and analyse options for an early intervention programme
• develop guidelines, recommendations and specifications for a programme
• develop a programme for ongoing health information and technical support for health professionals
• consult with the community, Government agencies, and other stakeholders on the proposed programme
• identify resource and implementation implications
• develop a monitoring and evaluation framework
• complete a final report and implementation plan
• report findings to the Ministry of Health and the community.

The Ministry put the project out to tender in late 2006, and consultancy firm Allen & Clarke Policy and Regulatory Specialists have been appointed to develop the project. Allen & Clarke will start work immediately and the project will be completed by October 2007.

The full terms of reference see www.moh.govt.nz/dioxins.

For more information on health issues contact Annie Coughlan, Ministry of Health, 04 816 4376/ 0274 343 222

For more information on Allen & Clarke see www.allenandclarke.co.nz or contact Matthew Allen, Allen & Clarke, 04 890 7303 / 027 599 0003