§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has received the report of the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council on vinyl chloride monomer induced disease; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. OrmeYes. The Council's report published today (Cmnd. 6620) recommends the prescription of angiosarcoma of the liver and osteolysis of the terminal phalanges of the fingers, as industrial diseases that arise from exposure to vinyl chloride monomer.
The first is a rare liver cancer and the second is a condition which may cause instability of the finger tips because of erosion of the bones of the finger joints.
My right hon. Friend has accepted the council's recommendations and regulations will shortly be introduced to prescribe these two diseases for people in occupations involving work in or about a plant for the polymerization of vinyl chloride monomer.