Air Pollution

HC Deb 07 June 1993 vol 226 cc43-4W

Ms Short

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent research studies have been considered by her Department on the relationship between particulate air pollution and human mortality; and what plans she has to issue guidelines for the protection of human health.

Mr. Sackville

The Department's committee on the medical effects of air pollutants (COMEAP) has considered the following recent studies relating mortality to particulate pollutionSchwartz J and Marcus A, 1990. Mortality and air pollution in London; a time series analysis. Schwartz J 1991. Particulate air pollution and daily mortality in Detroit. Schwartz J and Dockery DW, 1992. Particulate air pollution and daily mortality in Steubenville, Ohio. Waller RE and Swan AV, 1992. Invited commentary: Particulate air pollution and daily mortality. Schwartz J and Dockery DW, 1992. Increased mortality in Philadelphia associated with daily air pollution concentrations. Pope CA, Schwartz J and Ransom MR, 1992. Daily mortality and (PM₁₀¹) pollution in the Utah Valley. COMEAP advised that while these studies were consistent in demonstrating an association between PM₁₀¹ and mortality, no convincing evidence of a casual relationship had been shown. COMEAP is currently considering ways of providing advice to sensitive groups on the steps which might be taken to reduce adverse effects of air pollutants. ¹PM,₁₀= Particulate Matter (10 micrometres).