The Management of Hazardous Wastes Disposal: A Review of Government Systems
- ISBN-10
- 0908804350
- ISBN-13
- 9780908804351
- Pages
- 61
- Language
- English
- Published
- 1992
- Publisher
- Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment
- Authors
- New Zealand. Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Jennifer A. Boshier, Jeanne Boland
Description
"New Zealand does not have a good record in establishing controls for managing hazardous substances. Since the Parnell Commission of Inquiry in 1973, and the ICI fire in 1984, there has been a series of government committees and task forces. These have consistently called for legislation and clear guidelines for managing hazardous materials. The appointment of the promised Hazards Control Commission is long overdue. I hope the information contained in this report will assist Government to develop appropriate legislation without further delay. This report has identified new and improved information on the nature and incidence of hazardous substances, such as dioxin ... It is with some relief that I have found that management over the past 20 years, in the case study I reviewed, has bee satisfactory to safeguard public health from perceived carcinogenic effects. However the information obtained has also identified that ill health could result from dioxin exposure some 20 to 30 years later. The investigation has clearly demonstrated that when information on toxicity or other adverse effects is uncertain or insufficient, prudent and conservative environmental management should always be undertaken. It has also demonstrated that strict controls will be essential for all hazardous waste disposal." -- Preface.
