HL Deb 12 March 2001 vol 623 cc63-4WA
The Countess of Mar

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many cases of organophosphate poisoning in humans have been reported in the last 10 years by those with the statutory duty to report such cases; how many cases of organophosphate poisoning, either acute or chronic, have been diagnosed by the National Poisons Unit (Medical Toxicology Unit) for that period; and what have been the criteria for such a diagnosis. [HL1083]

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

During the 10 year period 1990–1991 to 1999–2000, there were 18 cases of poisoning reported under the Reporting of Injuries Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) which can be attributed with certainty to organophosphates.

This number is likely to be a considerable underestimate of the actual number of cases of organophosphate poisoning, as RIDDOR is known to be subject to serious underreporting and, furthermore, it is not always possible from the information provided to attribute a poisoning to a specific substance.

A better (but still incomplete) indication of the extent of alleged organophosphate poisoning is available from the reports of cases assessed by the Pesticide Incidents Appraisal Panel (PIAP). PIAP considers all ill health incidents reported to the Health and Safety Executive or a local authority which are allegedly due to the use of pesticides in the workplace.

During the 10 year period 1990–1991 to 1999–2000, PIAP assessed 152 incidents, involving 198 people, where the pesticides used included an organophosphate active ingredient. In 58 of these incidents, involving 87 people, PIAP assessed the ill health reported as having a "confirmed" or "likely" link to pesticide exposure.

It was not part of the research carried out at the Medical Toxicology Unit (MTU) to compile statistics relating to the numbers of acute and chronic cases of organophosphate poisoning diagnosed as a result of information from the unit or clinical consultations with MTU medical staff. The criteria for diagnosis are in line with those now included in the report Organophosphate sheep dip; clinical aspects of long-term low-dose exposure, published by the Royal College of Physicians and Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1998.