§ Mrs. Wiseasked the Secretary of State for the Environment where trichlorophenol is manufactured in the United Kingdom; what plans there are for dealing with accidents which could release dioxin; and what information thereon has been given to local authorities in the districts involved.
§ Mr. Denis HowellThe Coalite and Chemical Products works at Bolsover in Derbyshire is the only plant in the United Kingdom manufacturing the form of trichlorophcnol where there is a risk of the production of TCDD (Dioxin) as a trace impurity of the process. There are other plants which make trichlorophenols by a different process which does not produce TCDD (Dioxin). Alkali and Clean Air Inspectors and Factory Inspectors of the Health and Safety Executive have visited the plant to check that the process safeguards were being properly observed. These safeguards were designed to ensure that the chemical reaction is kept under control at all times but in the event of a loss of control that none of the contents of the plant could escape into the atmosphere to affect the public and the surrounding countryside. The local authority is in touch with the Alkali and Clean Air Inspectorate and other relevant authorities about the action which would be necessary if there was an incident at this plant.
§ Mr. Stephen Rossasked the Secretary of State for the Environment on how many occasions, since its manufacture began, there have been escapes into the atmosphere of gas containing dioxin from plants situated in the United Kingdom; what action was taken as a result; and how many people were affected by the gas escape.
§ Mr. Denis HowellThe one incident involving the escape of gas containing TCDD (Dioxin) was at the Coalite and Chemical Products Works at Bolsover, Derbyshire, in 1968. About 70 people who had some connection with the plant were affected by contact with Dioxin. There was no known effect on the external environment. As a result of the incident the plant was dismantled and a new plant built on the same site with more stringent safeguards.
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§ Mr. Stephen Rossasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many people live within a radius of (a) one, (b) two and (c) five miles of each plant in the United Kingdom whose manufacturing processes involve the production of dioxin.
§ Mr. Denis HowellThe only plant from which there is a risk of the production of TCDD (Dioxin) is the Coalite and Chemical Productions Works at Bolsover in Derbyshire. About 3,000 people live within one mile; 15,000 people within two miles and 110,000 people within five miles.