Asbestos (Hansard, 9 June 1998)

§ Dr. Godman
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how many(a) mesotheliomas and(b) lung cancers in (i) smokers and (ii) non-smokers per million persons exposed are assumed to result from environmental exposures to amosite asbestos at airborne fibre concentrations of(a) 0.01,(b) 0.005 and(c) 0.001 fibres/millilitre for 40 hours per week for 20 years; and if he will make a statement; [43715]
(2) what health consequences, expressed in terms of numbers of mesotheliomas or lung cancers in smokers and non-smokers per million persons exposed are assumed to result from environmental exposures to crocidolite asbestos at airborne fibre concentrations of(a) 0.01,(b) 0.005,(c) 0.001 and(d) 0.0001 fibres/millilitre for 40 hours per week for 20 years; and if he will make a statement; [43716]
(3) what health consequences, expressed in terms of numbers of mesotheliomas or lung cancers in smokers and non-smokers per million persons exposed are assumed to result from occupational exposures to crocidolite asbestos at airborne fibre concentrations of(a) 0.2,(b) 0.1,(c) 0.05 and(d) 0.005 fibres/millilitre for 40 hours per week for 20 years; and if he will make a statement; [43718]
(4) what health consequences, expressed in terms of numbers of mesotheliomas or lung cancers in smokers and non-smokers per million persons exposed are assumed to result from occupational exposures to(a) amosite asbestos at airborne fibre concentrations of(a) 0.2,(b) 0.1 and(c) 0.05 fibres/millilitre for 40 hours per week for 20 years; and if he will make a statement. [43722]

§ Angela Eagle
The available evidence is insufficient to make a precisely quantified estimate of the risks presented by exposure to amosite and crocidolite. In a written answer to my hon. Friend on 2 April 1998,Official Report, columns599–601, I indicated a range of quantified risk estimates for chrysotile. The risks presented by exposure to amosite and crocidolite appear to lie above this range, moderately so for lung cancer, substantially so for mesothelioma. The HSE is preparing a review of the relevant evidence, and will publish this before the end of the year. A copy will be placed in the Library of the House of Commons.

§ Dr. Godman
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) on how many occasions in each year between 1975 and 1 March 1998 the522W Health and Safety Executive instigated formal enforcement actions against employers who had controlled personal exposures to asbestos primarily by the use of respiratory protective equipment contrary to the requirements of Regulation 7 of the Asbestos Regulations 1969; and if he will make a statement; [43719]
(2) on how many occasions in each year since 1988 the Health and Safety Executive has investigated whether manufacturers or importers have(a) produced and(b) imported products incorporating asbestos to assess compliance with the requirements of Regulation 8(1A) of the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 1987; and if he will make a statement; [43720]
(3) on how many occasions in each year since 1988 the Health and Safety Executive instigated formal enforcement actions against employers who had controlled personal exposures to asbestos primarily by the use of respiratory protective equipment contrary to the requirements of Regulation 8(1b) of the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 1987; and if he will make a statement; [43721]
(4) on how many occasions in each year since 1990 the Health and Safety Executive instigated formal enforcement actions against employers who had controlled personal exposures to below(a) the relevant maximum exposure limits and(b) the relevant control limits but where exposures have not been as low as reasonably practical; and if he will make a statement. [43723]

§ Angela Eagle
The information requested is not readily available at the level of detail required and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
This Government, the Health and Safety Commission and the Health and Safety Executive are committed to ensuring the risks from asbestos and hazardous substances are controlled.
The Commission published a Consultative Document in April 1998 proposing amendments to the asbestos regulations and supporting Approved Codes of Practice to strengthen the approach to the use of, and work with, asbestos.
This Government and the Health and Safety Commission are committed to the advancement of further restrictions on the importation and use of asbestos as soon as the scientific evidence on the safety of substitutes has become clear.