HC Deb 16 July 1982 vol 27 cc495-6W
Mr. Farr

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he proposes to take steps to reduce the official lead safety level following the recent survey of blood lead levels in European Economic Community countries, including the United Kingdom.

Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what recent advice he has received from scientists that the official lead safety level should be lowered; and what action he intends to take;

(2) if he will issue a circular to local authorities advising them to carry out investigations to trace the source of lead if anyone is found with a level higher than 25 microgrammes per millilitre of blood; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Hooley

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he proposes to take to lower the level of lead pollution, in the light of the findings of the European Economic Community blood lead survey.

Mr. Giles Shaw

[pursuant to his reply, 12 July 1982, c. 302]: There is no "official lead safety level". A blood-lead level of 80 microgrammes per 100 millilitres has long been regarded as one above which there is a serious health risk; in recent years, a level between 35 and 80 microgrammes per 100 millilitres has been thought such as to warrant investigation and remedial action; the Lawther working party on lead and health advised that the possibility of harm to children in the 35–80 microgrammes per 100 millilitres range could not be ruled out; and the following passage is to be included in advice which is shortly to be issued to local authorities: the Department of Health and Social Security advise that where a person—particularly a child—is confirmed as having a blood-lead level over 25 microgrammes per 100 millilitres, his or her environment should be investigated for sources of lead and steps taken to reduce exposure.

The results of the 1981 EC survey, which concentrated on people chosen for their higher than normal risk of exposure to lead pollution, indicate that the overwhelming majority of United Kingdom blood-lead levels are well below 25 microgrammes per 100 millilitres—a level which of course includes a substantial margin of safety.