Dinitrophenol fatalities from years 2015 to 10/25/18 (or current date).
Dear NSW Ministry of Health,
May I please obtain the names and ages of the dinitrophenol fatalities from years 2015 to 10/25/18 (or current date). Other popular names are: Shredders, 2,4 DNP, DNP, Dinitrophenolate, Dinitrophenol, Crystal DNP
Yours faithfully,
S
Dear NSW Ministry of Health,
May I please obtain the ages, cities and dates of all fatalities from Dinitrophenol aka 2,4 Dinitrophenol from years 2015 to current date. Other popular names are: Shredders, 2,4 DNP, DNP, Dinitrophenolate, Crystal DNP.
Yours faithfully,
S
Yours faithfully,
Sassy
Dear S
As previously advised, all agencies need to abide by privacy laws when providing information.
Age and location and date would be considered as an identifier.
Although you have not submitted a formal application under the GIPA Act, I have done some research since you continue to submit inquiries.
Please be advised that 'Cause of Death' data are coded by the Australian Bureau of Statistics according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD).
There is no specific code for Dinitrophenol, and therefore a death known to be associated with Dinitrophenol would be coded under the broad term 'other substance'.
The NSW Ministry of Health does not hold data on fatalities related to Dinitrophenol.
Regards
Rhonda Smartt
GIPA Officer | Corporate Governance and Risk Management, Legal and Regulatory Services
NSW Ministry of Health
[email address]
www.health.nsw.gov.au
Dear MOH-GIPA,
Please tell me the number of deaths where Dinitrophenol played a role in the cause of death for each year, 2014 - 2019 (to present date).
NSW has put out a very vague warning stating that there has been numerous deaths from Dinitrophenol in Australia as well as overseas. I want the numbers in Australia.
Yours sincerely,
Sassy
Dear Sassy
Please provide the reference for the 'very vague warning' i.e. who published the warning and when it was, or was it a media article.
Please provide a copy so I can track if it was produced within our agency.
As I have already advised you, I have been formally advised by the relevant branches at the NSW Ministry of Health that we do not have data numbers for only Dinitrophenol fatalities since the code for 'Cause of Death' is "Other Substances".
Rhonda Smartt
GIPA Officer | Corporate Governance and Risk Management, Legal and Regulatory Services
NSW Ministry of Health
www.health.nsw.gov.au
Dear Sassy
This reference is helpful.
Dr Gale works within one of the branches who provided information to me.
I can only repeat that the Director, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence, formally responded to my consulting by advising: "The Ministry of Health does not hold the information requested. Cause of Death data that are held by the NSW Ministry of Health are coded by the Australian Bureau of Statistics according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). There is no specific code for Dinitrophenol. A death known to be associated with Dinitrophenol would be coded under an 'other substance' code."
The ABC News article was published after a media announcement on 31 August 2018:
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/news/Pages...
The ABC News article indicates that we are 'aware' of reports regarding deaths linked with Dinitrophenol, but I state again that the NSW Ministry of Health does not have actual numbers.
Please note that the actual reference point in the media announcement is the NSW Poisons Information Centre Ph: 13 11 26
The NSW Ministry of Health does not hold the information for your request ".. the number of deaths.."
Information on the concerns about the effects of the chemical are publicly available.
Regards
Rhonda Smartt
GIPA Officer | Corporate Governance and Risk Management, Legal and Regulatory Services
NSW Ministry of Health
[email address]
www.health.nsw.gov.au
Dear MOH-GIPA,
I'm in the US. Is that a phone number? Can you direct me to the poison center website? They may have annual statistics.
Yours sincerely,
Sassy
Dear Sassy
Yes, it is a resource and research centre for the state of New South Wales [NSW], Australia, website link provided:
https://www.poisonsinfo.nsw.gov.au/ You can submit an on-line request.
I do not have a lot of knowledge about them, except this is where you call the number if you need medical help immediately (eg your child has just swallowed bleach).
Please note I would not expect that they will not hold data on numbers of deaths since it is reported according to the international Cause of Death codes.
This is what the issue is for you, there is no discrete code just for Dinitrophenol fatalities.
Please note I do provide my name and position title at the end of each response, but you are correct in assuming that more than one team member has access to the mailbox.
Regards
Rhonda Smartt
GIPA Officer | Corporate Governance and Risk Management, Legal and Regulatory Services
NSW Ministry of Health
[email address]
www.health.nsw.gov.au