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New Zealand Sawmill workers and Dioxin poisoning

CIV 2006-463-32; Third Affidavit of Hohepa Joseph Harawira Exhibit “A” Report 26th April 2005 by Manager Environmental Coordination; Subject Whakatane Wood Waste Sites: Investigation of Contaminants in the Receiving Environment Exhibit “B” Draft Media release on BOPDHB – 23rd June 2005 “Eels May be unsafe to Eat Exhibit “C” Ministry of Environment, Subject letter dates 22nd March 2005 confirming funding for dioxin investigations to saw mill sites. Whakatane District Council Report to Policy Committee; dated 23rd March 2005 written by the District Inspector topic Contaminated Sites update

Exhibit “E” He Rangahau o nga Kaimahi Mira Kani Rakau; (A survey of former sawmill workers and their families to determine their health status) July 2002

He Rangahau o nga Kaimahi Mira Kani Rakau

A survey of former sawmill workers and their families to determine their health status

2002

Table of Contents Section One: Background 1

1.1. Sawmill Workers Against Poisons (SWAP) 3 1.2. Sapstain, Pentachlorophenol (PCP) and Dioxins 5 1.3. Exposure 6

Section Two: Objectives and Methodology of the Survey 8 2.1. Objectives 8 2.2. Commonalities 8 2.3. Ethics Committee Approval 8 2.4. The Survey 8 2.5. The Report 9

Section Three: Reviewing the Literature 10

3.1. Focus 10 3.2. How does PCP enter the body? 10 3.3. From the 1980's 10 3.4. Is PCP or dioxins carcinogenic to humans 11 3.5. Are the effects of PCP exposure generational 13 3.6. Endometriosis 13 3.7. Differing response to similar exposure 14 3.8. New Zealand Studies 14 3.9. Conclusions 15

Section Four: The Deceased Workers 16 4.1. The families. . . 16 4.2. Age at Death 16 4.3. Cause of Death 16 4.4. Knowledge of the dangers of working with PCP. 17 4.5. Symptoms and Illnesses suffered the deceased . . 17 4.6. Miscarriage 17 4.7. General health 17 4.8. Commentary 18

Section Five: SF-36™ 19

5.1. The SF-36™ questionnaire 19

Table 1: Average Component Score 19

5.2. Comparison 19

Table 2: Self-perceived general health 20

5.3. Table 3: Comparison of total averages 20 5.4. Commentary 20

Section Six: Questionnaire One: the living workers. . . 21

6.1. Ethnicity 21 6.2. Age range 21 6.3. Years at mill 21 6.4. Information about working with chemicals. . . 21

6.5. Symptoms and illnesses of living ex-sawmill workers 22 6.6. Table of symptoms and illnesses 24

Table 4: Symptoms and illnesses. . . 25

6.7. ACC 25 6.8. Medical care 25 6.9. Commentary 26

Section Seven: Wives/partners of sawmill workers 27

7.1. Illnesses of wives 27 7.2. Non-response 27 7.3. Miscarriage 27 7.4. Exposure of families 27 7.5. Commentary 28

Section Eight: The health of Children and Grandchildren 29

8.1. General picture 29 8.2. Respiratory problems 29 8.3. Skin problems 29 8.4. Hearing and sight 29 8.5. Birth defects 29 8.6. Learning difficulties 29 8.7. Other 29 8.8. Commentary 29

Section Nine: Conclusions and Recommendations 30

9.1. Conclusions 31 9.2. Recommendations 31

Bibliography