§ Mr. Ernie Rossasked the Secretary of State for Employment what study the Health and Safety Executive 7W has made of the carcinogenic potential of 1,2-dibromoethane; and what recommendations regarding its usage have been made.
§ Mr. WaddingtonThe Health and Safety Executive has not itself carried out any specific toxicological studies on 1,2-dibromoethane. Nevertheless, it is aware of the studies published in the United States by the National Cancer Institute, the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
No specific recommendations have been made by the executive regarding usage of the chemical, but its general usage is covered by the requirements laid down the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The policy of the Health and Safety Commission regarding the handling of all toxic chemicals is set out in guidance note EH18, "Toxic Substances: a precautionary policy", and states that "exposure should be kept as low as is reasonably practicable and in any case within the published threshold limit values". 1,2-dibromoethane is used chiefly in the formulation of anti-knock additives for petrol. Most of the remaining usage is in the manufacture of certain herbicides and fungicides and in the fumigation of certain agricultural products and flour mills.
The chemical has been cleared under the pesticides safety precautions scheme for its use as a fumigant, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has issued recommendations for the precautions to be taken during this use. These include the use of suitable respiratory equipment and protective gloves when handling or applying the fungicide. Its use is restricted to professional operators; the chemical should not be used on farms.
In the course of a sampling exercise carried out by the executive at several plants where 1,2-dibromoethane is used the samples taken showed that the atmospheric concentrations in the workplaces were all below 2 parts per million (ppm) and mostly below lppm, compared with the current threshold limit value of 20 ppm, 8-hour time-weighted averaged.