§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many cases have been recorded in each of the last three years of death or injury caused to workers in the plastics industry which were attributable, or believed to be attributable, to materials used in the manufacture of polyvinyl chloride; what research is currently being undertaken into the risks attendant upon the use of this material; and what health safeguards have been or will be introduced.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerComprehensive information on deaths and injuries attributable to vinyl chloride, the basic518W material from which PVC plastic is manufactured, is not available in the form requested, as there is no obligation to report such occurrences. In the United Kingdom, however, my Department knows of one death from a rare form of cancer, angio sarcoma of the liver, in a retired worker in 1972, which has been attributed to previous occupational exposure to high concentrations of vinyl chloride vapour in air. Other less serious effects, including acro-osteolysis, Raynaud's phenomenon and scleroderma, have also been reported, and my Department is aware of approximately 30 such reports.
The Employment Medical Advisory Service is undertaking epidemiological studies in the PVC industry, and is also examining all known cases of angio sarcoma of the liver in the general population to see if there is any link with vinyl chloride.
Earlier this year my right hon. Friend announced the setting up of a working group under the chairmanship of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Factories to consider health precautions in the PVC industry. The working group is currently preparing a code of practice to cover both the environmental control of the hazard and the medical supervision of workers. A first draft of the environmental section of the code has now been presented to the working group, which is due to discuss it at a meeting on 23rd December.
§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Secretary of State for Employment what research is being currently undertaken into the development of a non-toxic substitute for polyvinyl chloride.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerPolyvinyl chloride in its finished state is not considered to be toxic. Health hazards have been identified in the manufacturing process by which it is produced, and a working group, chaired by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Factories, is drafting a code of practice for the control of these hazards.