§ Ms. RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if there are any research proposals from his Department regarding sources of dioxin production;
(2) what research is carried out into the formation of TCDD from less harmful dioxins;
(3) whether the release of dioxins from hospital incinerators is monitored;
(4) what was the level of dioxins created by the chemical, plastics and pharmaceutical industries at the most recent date.
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§ Ms. WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the level of dioxins arising from the manufacture and use of pesticides, herbicides and slimicides.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyDetailed information is not available on the levels of dioxins created by hospital incinerators, the chemical, plastics and pharmaceutical industries, nor by the manufacture and use of pesticides, herbicides and slimicides. The Department of the Environment, in conjunction with the Department of Health, HSE, DTI and MAFF have been working for some time on a statement on the known sources of dioxins, their possible health effects and the expected exposure of the public to them. This statement will be published shortly.
There are 75 different dioxins of which 22 are TCDDs. Only one of these, 2,3,7,8-TCDD is considered particularly harmful. I understand that some research has been done on the formation of TCDDs from the other dioxins. It does not indicate that 2,3,7,8-TCDD is formed preferentially. This topic will be addressed in the report.