WIRES:

MOH Proposal For Dioxin Testing Futile

Thursday, 15 February 2001, 10:52 am
Press Release: Dr Jim Sprott

Sprott: Ministry Of Health Proposal For Dioxin Testing Futile

Dr Jim Sprott has described as futile a Ministry of Health proposal to carry out blood tests for dioxins on New Plymouth residents who may have suffered exposure to dioxin sourced from the Ivon Watkins Dow chemical plant.

Chemicals of the dioxin type (known as "non-polar" compounds) are very soluble in fatty body tissue. However, they do not accumulate in blood.

"The Ministry is quite wrong to propose blood tests for the residents," said Dr Sprott. "It is almost certain that the tests will show nothing."

Dr Sprott points out that non-polar compounds accumulate in fatty tissue, notably the nerves. This would explain the high incidence of multiple sclerosis (a nerve-related condition) among the residents. Furthermore, some chlorinated compounds of the dioxin type have carcinogenic (cancer-causing) properties, and some can cause birth defects.

"Blood testing of the New Plymouth residents should not proceed," said Dr Sprott. "The results are likely to be highly misleading. They could result in residents with valid claims losing the opportunity to pursue those claims."

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