HL Deb 17 February 1972 vol 328 cc386-8WA
LORD O'HAGAN

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are aware that the amount of lead in small children can be measured in their deciduous teeth; and whether they are sponsoring research into the relationship between lead ingestion and brain damage, using this technique of measurement.

LORD BELSTEAD

Her Majesty's Government are aware that a technique is being developed for measuring lead levels in deciduous teeth as a possible index of lead intake, but this method is as yet still in a very preliminary stage. The technique is being looked into by the Medical Research Council and the Department of Health and Social Security, both of which are also supporting a considerable programme of research into the possible correlation between lead contamination and the incidence of brain damage.

House adjourned at five minutes before seven o'clock.