Former sawmill workers in Whakatane exposed to cancer-causing chemicals will be offered support by the Ministry of Health.

About 200 workers developed chronic illnesses after inhaling dioxins in the anti-fungal timber treatment pentachlorophenol.

The Whakatane Board Mills closed in 1988 and the group, Sawmill Workers Against Poisons (SWAP) has been fighting for recognition for almost 30 years.

Many have undergone expensive blood tests to prove the severity of their exposure.

Joe Harawira, a SWAP organiser , says the Ministry of Health will be revealing further details this week.