A Toxic Legacy

For more than 70 years, the people of Paritutu in New Plymouth have believed a chemical plant in their suburb was causing birth defects and cancers.

The plant, owned by an American owned multi-national, was the last place in the world to manufacture the herbicide 2,4,5 T.

The herbicide contains high levels of dioxin and has been banned in many countries because of serious health concerns. Now the chemical plant is shutting down but is it leaving behind a toxic legacy?

Reporter:            Mark Crysell                                                       

Producer:            Kate McCallum

Camera:              Will Green

Editors:                Paul Anderson, Bleddyn Parry                              13.21