§ Mr. Alfred MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 6 March,Official Report, column 719, what research his Department has evaluated to indicate that present medical evidence does not support a causal relation between increasing disablement and exposure to organophosphates. [20344]
§ Mr. HealdMy answer of 6 March,Official Report, column 719, referred to the pattern of claimed disablement seen to date in Gulf claimants. The immediate toxic effects arising from exposure to high-dose organophosphates are the subject of medical consensus. The longer-term disabling effects of high exposure are not established; nor are the effects of low-dose exposure known, either short-term or chronic.
These conclusions are based on evaluation of the medical and scientific literature and discussion with expert toxicologists in academic departments, at the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment, Porton Down and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate.