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Risks to health of 1080 in water

S C McKee made this Official Information request to Ministry of Health

The request was successful.

From: S C McKee

Dear Ministry of Health,
As the Medical Officer of Health in each region signs off on the safety of every aerial 1080 drop over watersheds, what are the Ministry of Health guidelines these Medical Officers use to assess the health risks of 1080 in water supplies?

There are a number of documented cases of famlies, pregnant women, elderly people, children and farmers drinking from watersupplies while unaware that 1080 baits and poisoned carcasses are in their drinking water. There are documented cases of tourists and families on a picnic in the bush, being caught under a 1080 drop and getting dusted.

What medical tests and antidotes are there to diagnose and help people who suspect they have been poisoned, even in parts per trillion level, by the A1 Ecotoxin sodium monofluoroacetate? Are these protocols provided to every doctor in NZ?

Yours faithfully,

S C McKee

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Ministry of Health

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Dear S C McKee

Thank you for your request for official information, received by the
Ministry of Health on 4 June 2018. The Ministry's reference number for
your request is: H201804126.

You requested:

"what are the Ministry of Health guidelines these Medical Officers use to
assess the health risks of 1080 in water supplies?

What medical tests and antidotes are there to diagnose and help people who
suspect they have been poisoned, even in parts per trillion level, by the
A1 Ecotoxin sodium monofluoroacetate? Are these protocols provided to
every doctor in NZ?"

Your request has been logged and you can expect a reply no later than 2
July 2018 as required under the Official Information Act 1982.

Please note that a working day is defined in the Act as ‘any day of the
week other than a Saturday, Sunday, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Anzac Day,
Labour Day, the Sovereigns birthday, Waitangi Day and a day in the period
commencing 25 December in any year and ending 15 January in the following
year.

If a large amount of information has been requested or if the Ministry
needs to consult in order to make a decision, we may need to extend this
date (this is provided for in section 15A of the Act).  We will advise you
if such an extension is necessary.

Yours sincerely,

Maima Koro
Advisor

[Ministry of Health request email]
Ministerial Services  l  Government Services  l  Office of the Director
General

[1]http://www.health.govt.nz

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Ministry of Health

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Dear S C McKee

Please find attached a letter regarding your request for official
information.

Kind regards,
Maima Koro
Ministerial/OIA Advisor
Ministerial Services (OIA)
[Ministry of Health request email]  

Government Services
Office of the Director-General
Ministry of Health
[1]www.health.govt.nz

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