§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what studies have been undertaken in the United Kingdom and abroad into the environmental effects of pentachlorophenol; and what action has or is being taken as a result.
§ Mr. Giles ShawThe Department has recently carried out a review of the potential environmental effects of commercial pentachlorophenol (PCP) based on extensive research in the United Kingdom and abroad. I am placing a copy of the report in the Library. The results of the review have been considered by the Advisory Committee on Pesticides which recommended that the present guidance on the use of PCP should remain unchanged, subject to further studies being made of the exposure of occupants of buildings containing PCP-treated wood. These studies are now being carried out by the Building Research Establishment.
515W
§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for the Environment which countries have taken action to limit the use of pentachlorophenol; and for what reasons.
§ Mr. Giles ShawIn Sweden, registrations of wood preservative formulations containing pentachlorophenol (PCP) have been withdrawn, and in Germany and Canada use is restricted. Denmark, Switzerland, and some other countries permit the use of PCP formulations subject to limits on the content of toxic contaminants, especially hexachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (HCDD). In Japan the use of PCP is controlled because of its toxicity to fish.
The reason usually given for limiting the use of pentachlorophenol is concern over its toxicity or over the toxicity of substances which may contaminate it.
I shall write to the hon. Member setting out the controls that exist in the United Kingdom.