HC Deb 21 March 1984 vol 56 c472W
Mr. Cohen

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment why the river Lea became a fluorescent green colour on Tuesday 13 March.

Mr. Waldegrave

The discolouration arose from the presence of fluorescein — which is mostly used as a dyestuff — in the sewage arriving at a treatment works which discharges to the River Lea. The water authority has not so far been able to trace the source.

I understand there were no adverse human health or other biological effects.

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