§ 43. Mr. Wyattasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will investigate the dangers to health involved in the use of Vapona Strips as outlined in the hon. Member for Bosworth's letter of 28th October, 1969 ; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. John DunwoodyWhen the Advisory Committee on Pesticides and Other Toxic Chemicals considered the use of Vapona Strips in agriculture, horticulture, food storage and home kitchens, all the available toxicological evidence was studied. The firm wishing to market the product provided sufficient data to satisfy the committee that there should be no hazard to human health. The information which my hon. Friend has sent to my right hon. Friend will be referred to the advisory committee and steps will be taken to try to obtain the unpublished evidence on which this claim that the strips are hazardous is partly based.
§ Mr. WyattDoes my hon. Friend realise that Professor Lofroth, who is a great expert in this matter, believes that this is so serious that the stuff being emanated from Vapona Strips is the equivalent of a nerve gas, causing a reduction in the number of red blood corpuscles and perhaps leading to cancer and various other diseases? Is he also aware that the limits set by the World Health Organisation in respect of the dilution of this stuff into the atmosphere are greatly exceeded by the manufacturers' recommendations?
§ Dr. DunwoodyAs I said in my original answer, the committee considered the safety of Vapona Strips and cleared them in 1967, but in view of the new evidence we are putting the point to it again. I think that it would be best to await its opinion.