HC Deb 21 November 1994 vol 250 cc27-8W
Mr. Nicholas Brown

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she is now able to add to the answer given on 18 April 1990 to the hon. Member for Dumbarton (Mr. McFall) by the hon. Member for Mid-Worcestershire (Mr. Forth) concerning the work of Barry Richardson and cot deaths; and if she is now in a position to give a definitive response to his findings;

(2) what is her response to the work of Barry Richardson, the Robens institute at Surrey university and others linking cot deaths to abnormally high levels of antimony in the blood and tissue of victims.

Mr. Sackville

A hypothesis by Mr. B. Richardson, that sudden infant death syndrome was caused by toxic gases generated by fungal action on plastic cot mattresses, was examined in detail by an expert working group set up by the Chief Medical Officer in 1990. The group considered Mr. Richardson's evidence, evidence from work specially commissioned for it from the Laboratory of the Government Chemist and the International Mycological Institute, and other scientific evidence including published work. It concluded that the hypothesis was not supported by the evidence. Its report was published in May 1991 and copies are available in the Library.

The Department of Health has seen no further evidence to contradict the group's conclusion, in particular those relating to the suggestion that antimony and other chemicals are released by fungal action from cot mattresses. Trace levels of antimony are widely distributed, including food, water and tobacco smoke.

The work reported form the Robens institute has provided no answers, but raised some questions which need proper investigation. The Chief Medical Officer has asked for additional information, and will convene a small expert group to steer further work.

The advice to parents and carers of small children remains that of the successful "Back to Sleep" campaign:

  • Lay your baby on its back
  • Don't expose your baby to cigarette smoke
  • Avoid overheating the baby
  • Follow good hygiene—keep all clothing and bedding clean and fresh.