Cancer Research (Hansard, 10 July 1974)

§ Mr. Newens
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will investigate the possibilities of encouraging and extending research in Great Britain into methods of detecting substances used in industry which produce cancer in human beings.

§ Mr. Harold Walker
Yes. The Employment Medical Advisory Service
508W
been in mining and pottery manufacture for each of the past five years; and if he will give the percentage annual change in the numbers employed in both these groups.

§ Mr. John Fraser
Following is the information for each mid-year. The most recent figures are for June 1972; full detail from the 1973 Census of Employment is not yet available.
of my Department is to hold discussions shortly with the Medical Research Council on the possibilities of conducting further research into methods of detecting potential occupational carcinogens. This is in addition to the epidemiological and industrial hygiene investigations already in progress or under consideration with both sides of industry. My Department is also maintaining close liaison with the Department of Health and Social Security, whose medical officers are responsible for advising on the need for research into such problems outside industry.

§ Mr. Newens
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied that contact with the polymer PVC involves no risk of cancer; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Harold Walker
I regret that the present state of medical knowledge does not permit me to give a definite answer. The cancer hazard from vinyl chloride monomer is now recognised but to date the definite association has been among operatives, particularly autoclave workers, with a known history of exposure to vinyl chloride monomer in manufacturing processes where past concentrations could have been high.
Since small quantities of unreacted monomer can remain in PVC powder after polymerization the Industrial 509W Hygiene Unit of the Factory Inspectorate has carried out atmospheric sampling of processing of PVC powder and the results have generally been well within the interim hygiene standard agreed with the TUC and CBI on 14th June. This standard is a ceiling value of 50ppm and a time weighted average of 25ppm, allowing that wherever practicable exposure should be brought as nearly as possible to zero.
The Employment Medical Advisory Service in consultation with medical advisers from both sides of industry is examining the possibility of conducting epidemiological studies in the PVC processing sector of industry. This may provide evidence of a safe level of exposure. Epidemiological studies have already been set up in the plants where the polymer is produced.

Average weekly earnings Estimated difference in average weekly earnings between Scotland and the United Kingdom (£)

United Kingdom Scotland (Col. (1)-Col. (2))

(1) (2) (3)

October 1967 … … … … £21.38 £20.77 £0.61

October 1968 … … … … £23.00 £22.30 £0.70

October 1969 … … … … £24.83 £24.10 £0.73

October 1970 … … … … £28.05 £27.04 £1.01

October 1971 … … … … £30.93 £29.88 £1.05

October 1972 … … … … £35.82 £34.93 £0.89

October 1973 … … … … £40.92 £40.35 £0.57

^* The industries and services covered are manufacturing, mining and quarrying (except coal) construction, gas, electricity and water, transport and communication (except railways and sea transport) public administration and certain miscellaneous services.

	Average weekly earnings	Estimated difference in average weekly earnings between Scotland and the United Kingdom (£)
	United Kingdom	Scotland	(Col. (1)-Col. (2))
	(1)	(2)	(3)
October 1967	…	…	…	…	£21.38	£20.77	£0.61
October 1968	…	…	…	…	£23.00	£22.30	£0.70
October 1969	…	…	…	…	£24.83	£24.10	£0.73
October 1970	…	…	…	…	£28.05	£27.04	£1.01
October 1971	…	…	…	…	£30.93	£29.88	£1.05
October 1972	…	…	…	…	£35.82	£34.93	£0.89
October 1973	…	…	…	…	£40.92	£40.35	£0.57
^* The industries and services covered are manufacturing, mining and quarrying (except coal) construction, gas, electricity and water, transport and communication (except railways and sea transport) public administration and certain miscellaneous services.