§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) which police forces in England and Wales use the MIBK chemical agent; [2769]
(2) if he will forbid the use of the chemical agent MIBK by police forces in England and Wales; [2770]
(3) what assessment he has made of representations from the Hertfordshire and Surrey Police regarding the MIBK chemical agent and its effect on foetuses. [2768]
§ Mr. MichaelMy right hon. Friend does not plan to forbid the use of Methyl Isobutyl Ketone (MIBK) by police forces. MIBK is the solvent used as a carrying medium in CS canisters carried by officers in 17 forces in England and Wales. It has a wide range of uses, for example as a food additive and as a solvent in certain paints and varnishes. It is also found naturally in oranges, grapes and vinegar. A great deal is known about MIBK. The Department of Health has advised that it is an appropriate solvent to use in CS canisters, and it has been used by the Gendarmerie National in France for 17 years without any serious medical concerns.
There have been isolated reports published which suggest that at very high levels MIBK may affect unborn foetuses in lower mammals. These reports and the other available scientific evidence have been assessed by the Home Office Police Scientific Development Branch, the Department of Health and the Ministry of Defence. Their advice is that the scientific evidence does not indicate that MIBK is a human teratogen (that is to say, produces foetal abnormalities).