§ Baroness Turner of Camdenasked Her Majesty's Government:
What research they have conducted or commissioned on the effects of organophosphates on humans (a) as a result of occupational exposure, and (b) as a result of drinking water contaminated with organophosphates.
The Minster of State, Department of the Environment (Earl Ferrers)The Health and Safety Executive has commissioned the following research projects on the effects of organophosphates on humans as a result of occupational exposure:
- (i) an investigation into the possible chronic neuropsychological and neurological effects of occupational exposure to organophosphates in sheep farmers. This was conducted by the Institute of Occupational Health and was published in May 1995;
WA 71 - (ii) occupational hygiene assessment of sheep dipping practices and processes. This was conducted by the Institute of Occupational Medicine and was published in October 1993.
Comprehensive monitoring by water companies in the last five years indicates that contamination of drinking water by organophosphate pesticides is not a problem. Concentrations of organophosphates in drinking water are practically always below the statutory limit of 0.1 microgram per litre. On the few occasions when an organophosphate compound has been detected above this limit, it has been present transiently. The concentrations correspond to exposures many thousands of times lower than those known to be harmful or likely to affect health.