§ Mr. Michael McNair-Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in view of public concern and in the light of his general co-ordinating responsibility for anti-pollution measures, he will state the steps currently being taken to establish the facts about the accumulation of lead in the natural environment.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerThe following surveys are being carried out or sponsored by various Government Departments and research councils:
- 1. Survey of all vehicle exhaust pollutants, including lead, near to and away from a busy main road in Reading. The survey is being related to the density and composition of traffic (Road Research Laboratory and Warren Spring Laboratory).
274 - 2. Measurements of airborne lead and other vehicle exhaust components at two points in London, one with heavy traffic and one away from traffic (Medical Research Council Air Pollution Unit).
- 3. Survey of airborne pollutants, including lead and of the rate of deposition in soils and vegetation (Atomic Energy Research Establishment).
- 4. Study of airborne dispersal of heavy metals in an industrial area including contemporary effects from old tips (A University Department).
- 5. Measurement of lead content of soil near busy roads (Road Research Laboratory).
- 6. Survey of 60 elements including lead in food, air, water and human tissue, and of the relative importance to man of lead from different sources (National Radiological Protection Board).
- 7. Study of lead levels in plants and small animals near roads (Monks Wood Experimental Station).
- 8. Study of differing lead levels in the blood of two groups of professional drivers working in London, one in daytime and one at night (Medical Research Council Air Pollution Unit).
- 9. Survey of lead in dust in an urban area surrounding an industrial process using lead (Warren Spring Laboratory).
In addition, surveys of lead in food are being carried out under the control of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture Fisheries and Food.