Hazardous substances-related deaths decrease in New Zealand

Posted 2 years ago Less than a minute to read

Here are some of the key facts from our latest factsheet on "Hazardous substances-related deaths registered in New Zealand".

In 2018, there were 40 hazardous substances-related deaths in New Zealand. Mortality rates reduced by 70% between 2001–04 (2.8 deaths per 100,000) and 2015–18 (0.8 deaths per 100,000).
Mortality rates decreased by over 60% from 2001–18 for European/Other and Māori ethnic groups. No change has been recorded for Pacific Peoples.
From 2001–18, unintentional deaths made up a third of all hazardous substances-related deaths for Māori and Pacific Peoples, far higher than in European/Other and Asian ethnic groups (7% and 4% respectively).
From 2001–18 carbon monoxide accounted for 78% of all hazardous substance-related deaths.
Rates of intentional hazardous substances-related deaths in 2015–18 were almost four times lower than in 2001–04, while unintentional rates have remained low.