HC Deb 28 October 1971 vol 823 cc2066-7
21. Mrs. Joyce Butler

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he now expects to receive the report of the special committee examining the health hazards from enzyme detergents and if he will make a statement.

38. Mr. Normanton

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he now proposes to take to deal with the possible risk of dermatitis presented by enzyme washing powders.

Mr. Sharples

A group of dermatologists have been investigating this matter on behalf of the Home Office's medical advisers. They have concluded that, although they have found some cases of dermatitis attributable to enzyme detergents, the problem is not great, and that the withdrawal of these powders on dermatological grounds would not be justified. But the group have recommended that, since previously damaged skin can be affected by this type of product, a suitable warning notice should appear on the packets. The manufacturers, while not accepting that enzyme detergents are more likely to cause dermatitis than other detergents, have agreed, at the Home Office's request, to comply with this recommendation.

Mrs. Butler

Will the hon. Gentleman take it that many of us believe that these products were launched on the market before adequate account was taken of the health risks, including not only dermatitis but lung damage and possible effects on the blood cells, and we greatly welcome that he has now decided that a warning should be put on all packets of these detergents? But will he ensure, also, that the report which he has received is published and that further research is undertaken into the health side-effects of these products?

Mr. Sharples

The report is short and I will send a copy to the hon. Lady, who, I know, has a great interest in the subject, and I will see that a copy is placed in the Library, too.

Mr. Normanton

Have my hon. Friend's experts taken into account the long investigations carried on in the United States? To what extent are his findings influenced by the American work?

Mr. Sharples

We had full information from the United States on this subject, and I do not think that the findings of our committee of experts disagree with those reached in the United States.