§ Dr. Glynasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the present permitted level of carbon disulphide in the atmosphere of premises in which workers in the viscose rayon industry are engaged; and what plans he has to reduce the present permitted level.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithThe threshold limit value for carbon disulphide, regardless of the industry in which it is used, is 20 parts per million parts of air. A threshold limit value refers to airborne concentrations and represents conditions under which it is believed that nearly all workers may be repeatedly exposed day after day without adverse effect. There are no plans at present to alter the threshold limit value for carbon disulphide.
§ Dr. Glynasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many cases of carbon disulphide poisoning in the viscose rayon industry have been reported; and what are the criteria for diagnosis for this disease.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithFive cases of chronic carbon disulphide poisoning have been reported in the viscose rayon industry since the last war, but none after 1951. The criteria for diagnosis are clinical. Guidance on diagnosis is contained in Notes on the Diagnosis of Occupational Diseases prescribed under the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Act, 1965, issued by the Department of Health and Social Security. I am sending a copy to my hon. Friend.