HC Deb 11 February 1964 vol 689 cc31-2W
Captain Kerby

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs, in view of the fact that there are no chemical tests for determining toxic quantities of fluoroacetates to cattle and dogs when the amounts present in drinking water are less than one part in 10 millions, what is a safe dilution for fluoroacetate or sodium fluoroacetate which may be present at the outfall from a sewerage treatment works.

Mr. Corfield

The maximum concentration which would not kill dogs if present in their drinking water is not known with any precision; it is believed to be of the order of 0.2 parts per million, but it may prove to be somewhat lower. Since sewage effluents are normally diluted upon entering a stream, it seems most unlikely that the amount of fluoroacetamide or fluoroacetate finding its way into sewers can present any danger at all, even in the most unfavourable circumstances. There is no reason to believe that cattle are more sensitive than dogs.

Sir R. Thompson

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs by what means the toxic waste material from the fluoroacetamide factory at Smarden was disposed of prior to the industrial accident there.

Mr. Corfield

I understand that certain waste material from the factory was deposited on land at the back of the factory. According to the firm, the material deposited in this way did not include waste from the manufacture of fluoroacetamide. Nevertheless, certain fields, ditches and ponds nearby were contaminated by an organo-fluorine compound, probably fluoroacetamide, which appears to have come from the waste material deposited at the back of the factory.

Sir R. Thompson

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs in what way manufacturers of rodenticide, based on fluoroacetamide, dispose of their waste material; and whether, in the light of the incident at Smarden, he is satisfied with the safety precautions and method of disposal.

Mr. Corfield

Power to take action where disposal of waste may prejudice health or pollute a stream rests with local authorities and river boards, and I have no comprehensive information about what is done. But in the light of the Smarden incident my right hon. Friend is considering whether any action on his part is called for.