The Environmental Risk Management Authority is reassessing the use of the fungicide quintozene in New Zealand.
Quintozene is used commercially on bulbs and turf in New Zealand but ERMA has decided to review this after dioxin impurities were found in quintozene products in Australia at levels that may present health risks to workers who frequently use them.
Dioxins are classified as cancer-causing and long-term exposure may also affect immune or reproductive systems.
One quintozene product, Terraclor 75W, registered in New Zealand at present. Its importer, Nufarm, has confirmed that it won't sell or import any more of the product until the reassessment is finished.
ERMA will seek public submissions as part of the process.
