§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if his Department is sponsoring any research on the health hazards of asbestos in water; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Giles ShawNeither I nor my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services is sponsoring any such research. However, I am supporting a limited survey to determine the levels of asbestos in drinking water in the United Kingdom.
The Environmental Protection Agency in the United States has been engaged for nearly eight years on research into possible health hazards presented by asbestos in drinking water. So far no hazard has been proved.
My Department and the Department of Health and Social Security continue to keep the problem under review.