10 February 2026
David Roberts
[FYI request #33451 email]
Kia ora David
Your Official Information Act request, reference: GOV-045384
Thank you for your email of 8 January 2026, asking for the following information under the Official
Information Act 1982 (the Act):
Please supply The total number of claims Both accepted and rejected for workplace
Formaldehyde poisoning / irritation for the period.1980 to 2025
Our response
Between 2001 and 2025 there were 93 accepted claims and 71 declined claims for work-related
formaldehyde and irritation injuries.
Information within our data systems prior to 2001 does not generally include details that would enable
us to identify claims for formaldehyde. Due to this, we are refusing to provide information for claims
prior to 2001 as we do not hold reliable information for that period. This decision is made under section
18(g) of the Act.
Please note the following:
• Claims have been identified where the at work indicator is equal to 'Y', or the fund is in the work
account and the accident description includes the keywords ‘formaldehyde’ or ‘embalm’ and
‘chemical’, ‘fluid’ or ‘liquid’ or the claim includes the injury ‘Toxic effect of formaldehyde’.
Some allowance has been made for spelling variations in the keywords.
• The accident description is a non-mandatory, free text field on the ACC45 claim lodgment form.
The field allows a client to add some additional details about how their accident occurred. The
quality and quantity of information provided in this section varies significantly and as such, data
provided based on keywords in this field should be considered indicative only.
• Cover status is based on both the overall claim cover decision and the status of the individual
formaldehyde poisoning on each claim. Claims that are declined for formaldehyde poisoning
but accepted for other injuries are categorised as "Declined".
• Data were extracted on 23 January 2026 and may differ if re-run at a later date.
As this information may be of interest to other members of the public
ACC may publish a copy of this response on ACC’s website. All requester data, including your name
and contact details, will be removed prior to release. The released response will be made available
www.acc.co.nz/resources/#/category/12. Please also view this page about making requests and our
published response
s https://www.acc.co.nz/contact/official-information-act-requests. If you have any questions about this response, please get in touch
You can email me a
t [email address]. If you are not happy with this response, you can
GOV-045384 Page 1 of 2
also contact the Ombudsman vi
a [email address] or by phoning 0800 802 602.
Information about how to make a complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz. Ngā mihi
Christopher Johnston
Manager Official Information Act Services Government Engagement
GOV-045384 Page 2 of 2
