All Poisoned Timber Workers Need Help Now

“The Green Party is pleased that the health concerns of timber workers suffering from the effects of highly toxic pentachlorophenol (PCP) exposure are finally being acknowledged. However the Ministry of Health (MOH) needs an information outreach campaign to make sure all exposed workers and their families can get help,” says Green Party Toxic Issues Spokesperson Catherine Delahunty.

Ms Delahunty is reacting to the news that former timber workers are being asked to come forward for a project to ‘possibly’ support those who were exposed to PCP before it was banned.

“While it is good that Allen and Clarke on behalf of the Ministry of Health are calling for workers to come forward, it is no good without a well funded campaign to find and alert these workers. PCP was banned nearly two decades ago and workers are now spread far and wide. We would expect an absolute commitment to a support service,” said Ms Delahunty.

PCP is a chemical that was used widely in the New Zealand timber industry between the 1950s and 1980s to stop timber being spoiled by fungal infection. PCP has been banned in New Zealand since 1991 and is listed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency as a “probable human carcinogen.”

For decades timber workers and the families throughout the New Zealand timber industry were exposed to some of the most toxic manufactured chemicals ever created in the laboratory. Reports state that the workers suffered itchy skin and watery eyes upon initial exposure. Later came incidences of intergenerational effects including cancer, cardiac problems, birth defects and horribly disfiguring skin rashes.

“Given that the Department of Labour has finally accepted a link between a chemical used in the timber industry for 30 years and serious health problems in workers it’s time to reach out to all exposed workers and provide immediate health support,” says Ms Delahunty.

“These workers lives have been blighted by a ‘couldn’t care less attitude’ of both the forestry industry and successive governments. A support service is long overdue and the Green Party will be fighting to make sure these workers get well-resourced and comprehensive health care."