§ Mr. Dubsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his latest assessment of the relative significance and risk to children from lead that comes from petrol.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeLead from petrol is one amongst several sources of lead exposure. In assessing risk the significant factor is the total body burden of lead and there is no conclusive medical evidence of harm to children at blook lead levels normally found in this country. For individuals whose body burden is already high from exceptional exposure to lead from other sources, lead in petrol may make a relatively small but undesirable additional contribution. The contribution will be greater in places where air lead concentrations are unusually high for long periods. The Government considered it prudent to include a substantial reduction in the lead content of petrol in the measures announced last year to limit exposure to lead from all sources.