Workers from 19 Otago timber mills who may have been exposed to the preservative pentachlorophenol (PCP) are among thousands nationally being urged to give their opinion about the need for related health services.
A consultation document aimed at an estimated 100,000 workers exposed to the chemical used between the 1950s and 1980s was released by consultants Allen and Clarke yesterday.
Director of the consultancy Matthew Allen emphasised there was no pledge yet from the Ministry of Health on whether a support service would be established and it would be hard to justify such a service if nobody came forward seeking it.
There were about 200 people who had been in contact following earlier information published about the possibility, but the consultants wanted to hear from many more.
The more people who came forward, the better picture there would be of past exposure, he said.
The document sets out a possible group which might be eligible for accessing any service that might be established - people who worked in the timber industry for at least five years between 1950 and 1992 in jobs where they were highly exposed to PCP.
Jobs which tended to lead to higher exposure to the timber preservative were those where people were directly mixing PCP solutions, handling sludge settled in the bottom of baths and tanks, other tasks associated with baths and tanks and operating diffusion plants.
In the consultation document, respondents are asked if they agree with the suggested eligibility criteria.
The consultation document for workers has 32 questions, including whether any service should be regional, what help they might need and whether more research was necessary.
Although the consultation document says research suggests PCP and dioxins did not cause DNA damage, workers are asked if genetic testing to determine DNA damage should be considered for any support service.
Other services opinion is sought on include serum dioxin testing, genetic counselling services, complementary therapy, counselling services and access to health promotion programmes.
They are also being asked if they want a support service and whether it should involve just a single doctor's visit, regular visits to a doctor or a special clinic dedicated to former timber workers.
It has been found that PCP exposure can cause both short and long-term health effects. High doses over a short time can cause respiratory illness, skin problems, hyperthermia and, in cases of severe poisoning, death.
A Massey University study found workers exposed to high doses were more likely to die of cancer or respiratory diseases than those who escaped high levels of exposure.
At this stage, no meeting to discuss the paper has been planned for Otago, but Mr Allen said this could be arranged if there was enough interest. A public meeting is being held in Whakatane next month.
Responses to the document are due by October 2 this year. Following analysis of the responses and consideration of how any possible service would be delivered, Allen and Clarke will report in February to the Ministry of Health, which will then make a decision on the issue.
Anybody interested in making a submission can contact the consultants on 04 890 7300 or pcpss@allenandclarke.co.nz.
