§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what Government-sponsored research has been undertaken into the use of perchloroethylene in the dry cleaning process.
§ Mr. BaldryI am aware of the following relevant research which has been or is being undertaken by Government Departments.
The Building Research Establishment is preparing an environmental hazard assessment document on perchloroethylene—dry cleaning is covered as a source of release into the environment—as part of my Department's research programme. This will he published in due course.
485WThe Department of Trade and Industry published a report in 1990 entitled "Chlorinated solvent cleaning—the impact of environmental and regulatory control" by Coopers and Lybrand Deloitte.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is curently surveying perchloroethylene levels in food purchased from shops near to dry cleaning establishments. This work was initiated after reports appeared in the literature which indicated that there was a possibility of food contamination via this route. The results of this survey will be published in the normal way when they become available.
In addition there is a requirement to monitor drinking water levels of perchloroethylene. Levels must not exceed 10. μg/litre on an annual basis.