§ Mrs. Bainasked the Secretary of State for Employment what information he is able to provide on the carcinogenic properties of benzidine azo dyes; and whether he is satisfied that workers who have used or are using these dyes have received adequate warning of the dangers, precautions and medical surveillance necessary to safeguard their health.
§ Mr. John GrantI am informed by the Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that the Health and Safety Executive has no knowledge of any evidence, either from human epidemiology or from animal experimentation, that benzidine azo dyes present a risk of cancer from occupational exposure. The Health and Safety Executive is, however, reviewing recent research which has been carried out in order further to investigate this potential hazard. In the absence of such evidence, there is no appropriate warning or medical surveillance which could be given to workers who are using or who have used these dyestuffs. The use of these dyestuffs is subject to the general provisions of the Factories Act 1961 and the Health and Safety at Work, etc., Act 1974. The Health and Safety Executive currently is discussing with management and union representatives of the textile dyeing industry the possibility of setting up an epidemiological survey to investigate the matter further. I am assured that, in the light of the evidence at present available, adequate steps are being taken to keep workers informed.
§ Mrs. Bainasked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the statutory controls governing the import and use of benzidine azo dyes.
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§ Mr. John GrantI am informed by the Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that there are no statutory controls specifically governing the importation and use of benzidine azo dyes. However, the use of these dyestuffs remains subject to the general provisions of the Factories Act 1961 and the Health and Safety at Work, etc., Act 1974.