Operation Granby: Organophosphate Exposure (Hansard, 23 June 1997)

§ The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Gilbert)
My Lords, I must begin by apologising for the length of the Answer that I find it necessary to give on this important matter.
What is now known about the use of organophosphate pesticides during the Gulf War was described in the Organophosphate Pesticides Investigation Team report which was published last December. Some of the tents used by British troops were sprayed while in theatre with organophosphate-based residual insecticide which was applied to the outside surfaces. The investigation found no evidence that any clothing was treated with orgnanophosphate-based products, although there exists the possibility that some clothing was contaminated while being worn by those using such products for other purposes.
Many of the tents used by British troops during the Gulf War were subsequently burned or buried in theatre because it was generally thought not to be cost-effective to ship such material back to the UK or Germany. It is not now possible to identify those tents which were brought back from the Gulf; some of them are likely to have been retained by units or at depots, while some others will probably have since been sold as surplus stock.
The amount of OP pesticide remaining on a treated surface reduces over time, which is why regular re-application is normally necessary to maintain its effectiveness. Beyond this initial period of effectiveness, those traces of OP pesticide that remain break down naturally through exposure to air and water and normally disappear completely over a period of years. This break down process may be delayed if the 1429 compounds are used on material that has been treated with a wax finish, as was the case for tents which were used in the Gulf. However, any traces of OP pesticide that remain on a surface after the initial period of effectiveness would be in small and ever decreasing quantities, which would be unlikely to cause a risk to human health.

§ The Countess of Mar
My Lords, I thank the Minister for that full Answer. He has seen the correspondence which prompted me to ask the Question. Is he aware that after a site visit to Aston Down in Gloucester reports relating to the risk to public safety were generated to the directorates of defence, health and safety? Those reports related in particular to materials, including tents and sleeping bags, where all traceability of goods back to the ministry had been lost. First, what is being done to ensure that such goods can always be traced back to the MoD if they are sold by the MoD? Secondly, in view of the fact that the tents have been bought by scout masters for use by scouts—and there is evidence that organophosphates are far more potent in young people than in adults—what will the Minister do about problems which may arise among scouts if the tents cannot be legally traced back to the MoD?

§ Lord Gilbert
My Lords, the noble Countess has put her finger on one of the problems: that at this time, six years after the Gulf War, it would be extremely difficult if not impossible to identify any tents which are now in the hands of the general public and which at one time were in the hands of troops in the Gulf. However, if anyone feels unwell and believes that that might be connected to being in one of the tents he should consult his medical practitioner as soon as possible.

Earl Howe
My Lords, in view of the obvious concern which will arise from the noble Countess's Question, is not the proper course for those who are ill to be diagnosed straight away? If it is found that there is a risk of a link between the symptoms they are suffering and equipment used in the Gulf, should not the MoD issue a public warning for the benefit of those who might have bought such equipment?

§ Lord Gilbert
My Lords, I understand the thrust of the noble Earl's question. However, I must say to him—and I know that he is aware of it—that so far there is no evidence whatever that low level exposure to these pesticides can cause adverse health effects.

§ The Countess of Mar
My Lords, there is ample evidence to show that organophosphates at low levels cause adverse health effects. If no one looks at the evidence they will not find it. Can the Minister comment on the fact that each month more than 100 papers are published on the effect of low level exposure to organophosphates, but for some reason Her Majesty's Government are refusing to look at them?

§ Lord Gilbert
My Lords, I am afraid that I must take issue with the noble Countess in that respect. Already research is under way which is being funded jointly by 1430 the Department of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Health and Safety Executive, which is addressing precisely those issues, particularly in the context of the health concerns of farm workers.

§ Baroness Park of Monmouth
My Lords, can the Minister assure us that when the report that is being prepared on the Gulf War illness comes before the Defence Committee the issue will be covered and a full statement will be made on what was known inside the Ministry about the points raised by the noble Countess?

§ Lord Gilbert
My Lords, as the noble Baroness will know, my honourable friend Dr. Reid, Minister for the Armed Forces, is conducting an accelerated investigation into these matters. There is no wish whatever to keep them private. We recognise public concern and I can assure the noble Baroness that the matters will be made public.