Poisoned Sawmill workers get some compensation after nearly 30 years

At meeting in Whakatane yesterday 200 former sawmill workers were told they would be given support services such as free annual health checks, access to health promotions to reduce risks such as cancer, counselling, and mental health services. The workers were exposed to carcinogenic timber treatment chemicals such as pentachlorophenol (PCP) in the 1980s. Since then, workers have complained of high rates of cancer, diabetes, kidney, liver and heart failure. One study found that sawmill workers exposed to PCP compared had a 40 percent increase in the risk of cancer compared with those who were not, and a 200 to 300 percent increase in deaths from chronic non-cancerous respiratory disease.

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Some of the workers and their families are less than thrilled. Matia Kohe, a former sawmill worker who started work at the mills in 1977, told Radio New Zealand that it has taken too long for the Government to come up with not very much. Charrise Hawkins, daughter of a former sawmill worker, said that she and her sisters have suffered from infertility, skin rashes and depression, and that there's nothing in the announcement for the families of workers. Sawmill Workers Against Poison (SWAP) Spokesperson Joe Harawira said the workers now have more recognition than they have ever had before and health check is a step in the right direction.

Earlier this month New Zealand Herald social issues reporter Simon Collins spoke to former sawmill worker Kereama Akuhata. When he worked at the sawmill, Akuhata was extremely fit. He even trialled for the All Blacks in 1991 and 1993. Then his health packed up inexplicably. Today he suffers from chronic pain, depression, mood swings. He spoke about not just his health problems but the social stigma of being a sickness beneficiary, "You got judged by doctors ... [and] by the frontline case managers...I think we have to change attitudes," he said. "Know me before you judge me”