HC Deb 26 May 1982 vol 24 cc331-2W
Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his latest estimate of the percentage contribution lead in petrol makes towards total body lead burdens.

Mr. Giles Shaw

Normally, about 20 per cent. of body lead for people living in United Kingdom towns comes from petrol, both directly by inhalation and indirectly by other pathways—for example, food and dust.

Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has studied any evidence from the United States of America concerning blood lead levels following the first four years of the phasing out of lead in petrol.

Mr. Giles Shaw

I refer the hon. Lady to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Newham, South (Mr. Spearing) on 24 May.—[Vol. 24, c.252–53.]

Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has studied recent research carried out in Italy of the contribution of lead in petrol to total body lead levels.

Mr. Giles Shaw

I believe that the hon. Member is referring to a research project based at the EC laboratory at Ispra. The full results of this project have not yet been published, but I will study them as a matter of urgency as soon as they are available.