Campaign exposes some deadly truths

A HARD-HITTING campaign comparing spray guns with real-life weapons will launch next week.

Environment Minister Amy Adams is behind the three-year plan to raise awareness about the risks of working with hazardous substances, such as paints, solvents and liquid agri-chemicals.

She is fulfilling a promise made, as a new MP, to grieving parents Christchurch Tony and Annette Gibson, who lost their son Jason to cancer. He died in 2003 after exposure to lethal vapours at work.

The campaign includes billboards featuring photographs of guns and the slogan: ‘‘Same result, different time frame.’’

There will also be a series radio advertisements.

The Environmental Protection Agency campaign will cost about $1.5 million.

Ms Adams made no apology for the blunt message. ‘‘It’s about getting that message out to New Zealanders that this stuff is serious, it will kill you.

‘‘We all know the threats of guns and grenades but it is really drawing a parallel because people really have to take working with hazardous substances in their jobs and their home lives seriously.

‘‘Frankly, Kiwis have to wake

of up and realise they are not bulletproof.’’

The Gibsons came to see her shortly after she was elected MP for Selwyn in 2008.

Their 29-year-old son, a painter, died six days after he was diagnosed with rare acute promyelocytic leukaemia. He had been exposed to solvents containing toluene and xylene over a 13-year career.

Between 500 and 800 New Zealanders die from industrial illnesses every year.

‘‘Too many of our young men have that ‘she’ll be right, I’m too tough to wear gloves and a mask’ attitude and we are losing more people – double – than to the road toll,’’ Ms Adams said. ‘‘It’s really frightening.’’

Last month a Porirua couple were admitted to hospital after inhaling toxic fumes from a tin of paint. Karen and Scott Odell used it to redecorate their daughter’s bedroom but experienced burning throats, headaches, itching and dizziness.

A hazardous materials unit was called out and the house was evacuated.

‘‘The reality is any number of household products, whether it’s home, DIY, garden products, chemicals have the potential to be very, very serious if not fatal,’’ Ms Adams said.