Poly-cholorinated Biphenyl (Hansard, 8 March 1982)

§ Mr. Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield, East)

I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House, under Standing Order No. 9, for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration, namely, the grave health threat posed to thousands of people in the country by poly-cholorinated biphenyl, a poisonous, cancer-causing chemical, the use of which is widespread throughout the country and which now, it seems, is leaking from several large installations around the countryside.

I am buttressed in my argument for this Adjournment debate by my reading of this morning's Yorkshire Post, whose environment correspondent, Mr. Robert Schofield, brings further fresh disturbing evidence of the dangers of this chemical and hazards that most British people are unaware of.

The chemical is known to cause cancer, in addition to a range of other detrimental health effects, including chronic bronchitis, liver and central nervous system disorders and the retardation of children's growth.

The manufacture of PCB ceased voluntarily in this country in 1977, but by that time thousands of tons had already been manufactured in the United Kingdom. The chemical can be destroyed only by burning at high temperatures—at 1,000°C—and all that has not been disposed of in this way remains a permanent health hazard. In an accident recently in Japan, 1,000 people suffered the severe health effects that I have described, and the average amount of PCB that they consumed was only 2 grams. PCB persists not only in the environment but in the human body. It cannot be excreted, and minute amounts build up until disastrous medical effects occur.

A debate is urgent, because evidence has now come to light that an estimated 20,000 electrical transformers filled with PCB are in service in the United Kingdom. Each contains up to 300 gallons of this noxious chemical. They have been placed in hospitals, colleges, schools, factories and offices, amongst other places. Evidence has now come to light that 90 per cent. of these transformers are leaking. The effects when leaks occur can be gauged by the fact that whole streets have to be torn up, because the sewerage system has to be renewed. All the earth and anything else that has come into contact 'with the chemical has to be burnt at the only place in Europe where it can be destroyed under certain conditions at very high temperatures. The evidence has only just come to light that 20,000 installations around the country are leaking.

604 I urge that we have the opportunity immediately to debate the matter so that we can bring to the attention of the public the dangers of this hazard. Apparently there is widespread ignorance about how to deal with this product. When the emergency services are called in, very often they sluice it down the nearest drain. In view of the threat to health and to the environment, it is vital that the House discusses this matter and the measures that are necessary to forestall an imminent disaster.

The matter is specific in that it relates to a particular chemical. It is important to the lives of perhaps thousands of Britons who are at risk. It is urgent in that PCB has already been discharged into the environment and is likely to threaten many thousands of lives.

§ Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member for Huddersfield, East (Mr. Sheerman) gave me notice before 12 o'clock midday that he would seek leave to move the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that he thinks should have urgent consideration, namely the grave health threat posed to thousands of people in the country by poly-chlorinated biphenyl, a poisonous, cancer-causing chemical, the use of which is widespread throughout the country and which now, it seems, is leaking from several large installations around the countryside.

The hon. Gentleman has drawn attention to a very important matter, but he knows that my powers are limited when it comes to altering the business tonight or tomorrow if I were to grant such an emergency debate.

The House has also instructed me to give no reasons for my decision. I listened with great care to what the hon. Gentleman said, but I must rule that his submission doe s not fall within the provisions of the Standing Order, and therefore I cannot submit his application to the House.