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 will 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, classified as cancer-causing, may also affect immune or reproductive systems if used long term.

One quintozene product, Terraclor 75W,  is registered in New Zealand at present. Its importer, Nufarm, says 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.