§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment has now been made of the probable risk to public health arising from the presence of heavy metals in the soil at Ropers and Trumpians Farm due to the continued dispersal there of sewage sludge; and what is the result of his investigation of complaints by local residents of high levels of lead and cadmium in their blood.
§ Mr. Eldon GriffithsMy Department's medical advisers and the local medical officers of health have completed a further examination and have advised me that:
(a) There is no health risk to children or adults having access to the land. In some parts of the country the soil itself contains more lead in its natural condition.
(b) There is no evidence of any risk of fly-borne infection from the trenching of sludge on the land.
(c) Investigations of the water supply have been made as there is some lead piping in this area. All have shown 216W lead levels in water within the limit specified in the WHO international standard for drinking water.
(d) Essex River Authority is satisfied that there is no drainage of polluted water from this area into the River Roach.
(e) Blood lead and cadmium tests have produced no evidence whatever to support the allegation that people living nearby or having access to the site have suffered in any way. In particular, more accurate blood tests of those who had been led to believe their blood cadmium level was high have shown it to be normal.
(f) Trace metal concentration at the farms are being continuously monitored, and crop tests are being carried out in accordance with my Department's policy of being always ready to take such action as is needed whenever we have evidence of a possible health hazard from concentrations of heavy metals.