HC Deb 12 February 1985 vol 73 cc136-7W
Mr. Campbell-Savours

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what steps the Health and Safety Executive is taking to publish lists of active ingredients and products used in wood treatment.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

Information on active ingredients of wood preservatives is issued in the series "Chemical Compounds Used as Pesticides". These recommendation sheets are available from the Health and Safety Executive. There are no plans to publish this information in list form.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many instances of (a) suspected, and (b)confirmed poisonings by pesticides used in wood treatment were investigated by the Health and Safety Executive, in each of the last five years for which figures are available; in how many instances the public were involved; and in how many cases a prosecution resulted.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

A comprehensive central record is not kept of the information requested.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what information he has as to the oral and dermal acute toxicities, the chronic toxicities, and mutagenic, carcinogenic or teratogenic properties of (a) methyl isocyanate and (b) methyl isothiocyanate.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

Methyl isocyanate has been reported to cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea when accidently ingested by humans. It is known to be of high oral toxicity to rats and mice. No data are available on systemic effects following dermal exposure in humans, although tests have shown moderate dermal toxicity in rabbits. When inhaled, methyl isocyanate is a potent irritant and causes bronchospasm and lung damage which can be fatal both to humans and animals. Skin contact can cause severe burns and methyl isocyanate can seriously injure the eyes. Bacterial mutagenicity tests have been found not to produce genetic damage. There are no available data on carcinogenicity or teratogenicity.

One case of accidental death is known following ingestion of methyl isothiocyanate, caused by severe damage of the upper gastric tract. Methyl isothiocyanate has been known to have caused corneal, liver and kidney damage in rats and mice. Animal tests have shown dermal toxicity low for rats and mice but higher for rabbits. There are no available data on carcinogenicity, teratogenicity or mutagenicity other than a two-year study of rats exposed to methyl isothiocyanate in drinking water which reported no effects at a level of 10 mg/litre.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list those pesticide products used in wood treatment which contain (a) dieldrin, (b) DDT, (c) lidanne, (d) tributyl tin oxide or similar compounds and (e) benzene hexachloride.

Mr. Alan Clark

I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.