§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) whether he will make a statement approving the use in the United Kingdom of pure cotton or regenerated cellulose in internal sanitary protection tampons in view of their long history of successful use, as opposed to those containing other polymeric materials;
(2) whether the inquiries referred to in his answer of 11 November 1980, Official Report, c. 110, into the possible dangers of toxic shock from the use of certain internal sanitary protection tampons distinguish between tampons containing pure cotton or regenerated cellulose and those containing other polymeric materials including polyester fibre, sodium polyacrylate, sodium carboxymethylcellulose and the "alloy" fibres;
(3) whether the data which the Department of Trade has sought from the United States Food and Drug Administration on toxic shock from the use of certain internal sanitary protection tampons, referred to in the Secretary of State for Trade's answers of 11 November 1980, Official Report, c. 110, and 3 December 1980, Official Report, c. 221–2, distinguished between those containing pure cotton or regenerated cellulose and those containing other polymeric materials including polyester fibre, sodium polyacrylate, sodium carboxymethylcellulose and the "alloy" fibres.
§ Sir George YoungFurther data are awaited from the United States and from the Laboratory of the Government Chemist.
The information so far available indicates that there are no brands of tampon available in the United Kingdom which have a carboxymethylcellulose base. The 'Rely' brand, with this formulation, was withdrawn from the 425W United States market following the number of cases of toxic shock syndrome associated with its use. I am advised that there is at least one brand of tampon available in the United Kingdom which has a polyacrylate base, but the further data will give more precise information.
Certainly, in this country, toxic shock syndrome appears to be an extremely rare condition. Very few cases have been reported and none, as far as I am aware, linking this condition with any specific type of internal sanitary tampon. However, when the full data are available, an assessment of the materials used will be included as part of the full medical and scientific review which the Department will undertake with the advice of its independent expert advisory committee on toxicity. Following this review, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade will consider what action, if any, requires to be taken.