New Plymouth dioxin study call

Present and former residents of a New Plymouth suburb are being given a last chance to be included in a study to assess their exposure to dioxin.

Associate Health Minister Damien O'Connor said yesterday that a large number of people from Paritutu had phoned in to be included in the study of non-occupational exposure when the first request was made in April.

"But we want to give those people who had forgotten or had been putting it off, a last chance to register."

The study is intended to deal with concerns about the possibility of exposure to dioxin as a result of past emissions from an Ivon Watkins-Dow chemical plant, and whether the exposure had health impacts.

It was important all residents who lived in Paritutu between 1960 and 1987, and were willing to be part of the study, came forward to ensure the validity of the work, Mr O'Connor said.

People who want to take part, and have not already provided their details, can ring toll-free 0508 ESR ESR (0508 377 377).