§ Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for Employment when he expects the Health and Safety Commission's advisory committee on toxic substances to submit its report on chrysoidine dye; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GummerI am advised by the chairman of the health and Safety commission that chrysoidine was considered by the advisory committee on toxic substances on 30 March 1983. The committee noted that chrysoidine was still under review by the Department of Health and Social Security expert committee on carcinogenicity of chemicals in food, consumer products and the environment. While the data available to that committee were not sufficiently comprehensive to exonerate chrysoidine of a possible carcinogenic effect, the ACTS noted that in the manufacture and industrial use of the substance adequate steps appeared to be taken to minimise the exposure of workpeople. The committee also noted that it IA as the use of chrysoidine to colour maggots used by anglers that appeared to be causing most anxiety. The committee considered this to be a matter primarily of consumer, rather than occupational, health and safety and asked that it be brought to the attention of the appropriate Departments.
The committee is not submitting any formal report to the Health and Safety Commission.