HC Deb 22 February 1979 vol 963 cc296-7W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, whether he has any proposals for checking cadmium levels in sewage sludge when used as a fertiliser.

Mr. Denis Howell

My Department's interim guidelines—published in 1977—on the disposal of sewage sludge to land include recommendations on the limits of application of cadmium and other elements to agricultural land. Such application is dependent on analyses of the sludges, and in some cases, of the receiving soils, being available to water authorities. My Department has instigated and is sponsoring research on the uptake of cadmium by crops to review safety margins and is co-operating with the Department of Health and Social Services on epidemiological surveys of the health of people eating vegetables grown on cadmium-contaminated soils. I am placing a copy of the guidelines in the Library.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, whether in view of estimates that a cadmium level of 998 ppm has been found in soil in Shipham, he will indicate the actual level found; and whether any higher level has been found in soil anywhere else in the world.

Mr. Denis Howell

On soil levels at Shipham, I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave in reply to his question on the subject on 21 February.

The highest levels at Shipham are higher than any previously reported; but they have been brought to light by a uniquely thorough geochemical survey.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what checks are or have been made on environmental cadmium levels in the vicinity of plants engaged in zinc refining or lead and copper smithing; and whether he considers such checks to be necessary in the light of possible pollution by cadmium.

Mr. Denis Howell

Emissions to air and water from the United Kingdom's single zinc refinery are monitored by the appropriate statutory authorities; and levels in nearby vegetation are regularly measured by the local authority. Emissions from copper and lead smithing are considered to be too low to give rise to any general environmental problem.