HC Deb 03 February 1976 vol 904 cc552-3W
Mr. Cryer

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what research is being undertaken by the Health and Safety Executive into the use of fibre glass.

Mr. Harold Walker

I am informed by the Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that the Health and Safety Executive is not itself undertaking such research.

Several limited epidemiological studies on workers employed in glass fibre manufacturing have been carried out in this country and the United States of America, but no evidence of a respiratory hazard attributable to glass fibre was found other than possibly an excess of bronchitis among retired workers in one study. Recently the observation that mineral fibres, including glass fibre, produce cancers when experimentally injected into the chests of rats has stimulated further concern.

I am informed by the Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that the Health and Safety Executive has discussed the problems with members of the Medical Working Party of Comite International De La Rayonne et des Fibres Synthetiques (CIRFS) and European Insulation Manufacturers Association (EURIMA) at the Medical Research Council's Pneumoconiosis Unit. These two trade associations have agreed to collaborate in the sponsorship of research to establish the facts about the health hazard of inhaled man-made fibres as a matter of urgency. On 21st January 1976 an announcement was made that the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Lyon would coordinate an independent epidemiological study to establish whether or not there is a cancer hazard to workers in manmade mineral fibre plants in Europe. Laboratory studies will be carried out by the MRC. Independently of these studies HSE is sponsoring research with the MRC on novel techniques for the recognition and estimation of fibres.

Mr. Cryer

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if the Health and Safety Executive has in hand the preparation of a code of practice for the storage, handling and application of fibre glass in the insulation industry.

Mr. Harold Walker

I am informed by the Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that the Health and Safety Executive is not preparing a code of practice for the storage, handling and application of fibre glass in the insulation industry. There is at present no direct evidence of a serious health hazard to man from glass fibre and it is considered that the preparation of a code of practice is not justified at this time. The Health and Safety Executive is, however, keeping a close watch on the progress of relevant research.

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