People Poisoned Daily - Report shows nationwide contamination of our environment and foodchain

The report reveals Dow agrosciences poisoned not only the people of Paritutu but has left a legacy of chemical poisoning throughout New Zealand. The chemicals 2,4,5-T and 2,4-D which together create Agent Orange were sprayed so extensively on farmlands and plantation forests throughout the country that their chemical fingerprints are still found in our bodies.

"The Government needs to hold this corporate polluter accountable," said Mere Takoko Greenpeace toxics campaigner. From 1949 Dow has doused New Zealand in over 20 million litres of poisons. These chemicals were used until 1987 even though Dow knew in 1965 that they were harmful to people." (1)

For decades, successive governments have undertaken a number of different studies in Paritutu. In almost all of these occasions, key pieces of data have been omitted or studies have been done too late.

"Dow has poisoned our nation, the government needs to act now, dont let these people wait another day, havent they waited long enough?" Concluded Ms Takoko.

GREENPEACE DEMANDS:

1. That the Government acknowledge dioxin poisoning by developing specialist health care centres and social services for people poisoned by dioxins and that this process should occur in cooperation and consultation with stakeholder communities, organisations and Iwi.

2. That the Dow Chemical Company set up a national fund to compensate workers, individuals and families poisoned by 245-T and 24-D and that it discontinue its distribution of 24-D and other products which manufacture dioxins including its high temperature waste incinerator.

Notes to the Editor:

(1) In 1965 Bionetics Research Laboratory in the US reported that 245-T and possibly 24-D were teratogens or toxins that caused congenital deformities. This report was suppressed until 1969.

In a 1965, a memo from Ivon Watkins Dows parent company, the Dow Chemical Company, states in reference to dioxin: "This material is exceptionally toxic. It has tremendous potential for producing chloracne and systemic injury." That same year another Dow document dated March 10, 1965 states: "This material presents a definite hazard which would require all the precautions...to prevent injury..." and "In my opinion their products should not be sold until animal tests show these products to be free of a significant hazard from the [dioxin] related materials."