Dioxins
Health NZ monitors the health effects from dioxins and ensures adequate health care is available to those affected by dioxin exposure.
Pātiki and Waharua Kōpito patterns
Health NZ monitors the health effects from dioxins and ensures adequate health care is available to those affected by dioxin exposure.
Dioxins are a group of chemicals that share similar structures and ways of affecting the body. They very stable and unlike most other chemicals do not quickly decompose or break down in the environment. Some of them have demonstrated adverse health effects in animals at very low levels.
More information about dioxins is provided in the links below.
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Health effects of dioxins
There has been longstanding concern over the possibility of health effects, including cancer and birth defects, due to dioxins. -
Dioxins questions and answers
Answers to questions about dioxins, including on the effects of dioxin exposure and the Dioxin Health Service. -
Health support services
Information about two health support services managed by Health New Zealand - the Sawmill Workers’ Service and the Dioxin Health Service. -
Dioxins: A technical guide
This guide is for health professionals and others who have questions about the health effects of dioxins, and includes historic exposure incidents. -
Study: Concentrations of persistent organic pollutants in blood of adults
Massey University’s Centre for Public Health Research completed a 3-year study for Health New Zealand measuring the concentration of pollutants in blood. -
Breast milk survey
This survey is the third to measure levels of persistent organic pollutants in the breast milk of first-time mothers aged 20 to 30. -
Serum dioxin study in Paritutu
The report investigating historical exposures to dioxin among residents of the New Plymouth suburb of Paritutu was released in 2005. -
Other key agencies involved with dioxins
Other key agencies involved with dioxins, including workplace exposure, contaminated places, and Vietnam veterans.