EPA welcomes Massey University report

13 September 2013

EPA welcomes Massey University report

The Environmental Protection Authority has welcomed a new Massey University report on New Zealand workers’ exposure to substances that cause cancer, saying it aids the EPA’s own work in reducing risks.

“This research supports two aspects of our work,” says EPA Chief Executive Rob Forlong.

“It helps draw attention to the fatal consequences of a cavalier attitude to managing and handling hazardous chemicals at work. We want business owners and workers to take this seriously, and we’re putting a lot of effort into promoting this message.

“The Massey research is also indicating that the work we have done over the past several years in reassessing, removing and restricting many of the most dangerous substances is absolutely necessary.”

Mr Forlong said the EPA was pleased to see it confirmed that New Zealand farmers were not exposed to many of the worst pesticides.

“Over the past few years the EPA and its predecessors have done a lot of work to reduce danger to farmers and agricultural workers, including requiring users of the more hazardous pesticides to be licenced and trained how to use these substances safely.

“We have also removed the approvals for a number of substances suspected to be carcinogenic.

“It’s not just about farming. We recently launched a multi-media Hazardous Substances Toolbox to provide businesses like printers and metal manufacturers with a range of tools to help them understand how to use and store hazardous substances safely.

“Often the damaging effects of exposure to harmful substances don’t appear until many years later. We are encouraging people to focus on preventing workplace exposure from occurring in the first place, by understanding the risks and appropriately managing the hazardous substances

they use, including carcinogens,” says Mr Forlong.

“We welcome the Centre for Public Health Research’s continuing work in this area which will inform our work in regulating hazardous substances and in continuing to keep New Zealanders aware of their very real dangers,” Mr Forlong says.

ENDS.

Notes to Editors

The report by The Centre for Public Health Research Workplace exposure to carcinogens in New Zealand can be read in full on their website at http://publichealth.massey.ac.nz/assets/ProjectsPDF/OCCUPATIONAL-CARCINOGENS-STUDY-08-569-Report.pdf

To date almost 5,000 Hazardous Substances Toolboxes have been ordered by businesses. The Toolbox is available on the EPA’s website at www.hazardoussubstances.govt.nz

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