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Q&As: Dioxins in food – Paritutu

What is the risk from eating food grown or produced in the suburb of Paritutu?

Paritutu is as safe as any part of the country, and people can safely eat home-grown fruit and vegetables. The suburb is a mix of industrial and homes, and there is no (food) primary production in the area. Even if there were, the food would be as safe as that produced anywhere else in New Zealand because the levels of this dioxin (TCDD) in the soil are low, and because the fugitive emissions of TCDD ceased in 1987. The area affected was small – about 2 km east of the Ivon Watkins Dow plant, and 1 km south.

The interim report from ESR to the Ministry of Health on the Paritutu Serum Dioxin Study (there is a link to the dioxin page of the Ministry of Health below) indicates that there are no food safety issues, either for local residents or for New Zealanders in general.

Because exposure was through inhalation, and because soil levels are low, home-grown produce (including chickens and eggs) does not pose any greater risk in Paritutu than anywhere else in New Zealand.

Was there increased exposure through food at the time of the emissions?

No. The ESR interim report indicates that risks of exposure through food at the time of the fugitive emissions are likely to have been insignificant and that exposure was via inhalation.

Does New Zealand have high levels of dioxin?

No. Risk from exposure to dioxins for the general population in New Zealand is very low, particularly compared with more industrialised countries. Dioxin levels/dietary exposure levels for New Zealanders are lower than intake levels recommended by the World Health Organisation. Dioxins in breast milk decreased 70% between 1988 and 1998. There is more information on dioxins in New Zealand food here: http://www.nzfsa.govt.nz/consumers/chemicals-nutrients-additives-and-toxins/dioxins/index.htm

Soil levels are low in New Zealand by international standards, and have been shown to have been so for some time. (All but one of the Ministry for the Environment Paritutu Residential Soil Study (2002) result’s was below the most conservative international residential soil guidelines set to protect health). There is a link to this information below.

Where do dioxins come from?

Dioxins are produced by both natural and man-made processes, including volcanoes and forest fires as well as man-made processes such as manufacturing, incineration, paper and pulp bleaching, and exhaust emissions. The link in the question above has more information on this.

What if I have health concerns about dioxin?

If you have any concerns, you can contact a Medical Officer of Health at your local public health unit.

Where can I get more information?

There is information on dioxins at the Ministry for the Environment’s website at: http://www.mfe.govt.nz/issues/hazardous/contaminated/dioxins.html and on the Ministry of Health’s website at: http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/7004be0c19a98f8a4c25692e007bf833/2c10998db52ceef4cc256aae0072c56a?OpenDocument

There is more information on our website at: http://www.nzfsa.govt.nz/consumers/chemicals-nutrients-additives-and-toxins/dioxins/index.htm