HC Deb 01 December 1987 vol 123 cc550-1W
Mr. Baldry

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has yet received the medical advice on possible health risks to householders from the use of man-made fibres as loft insulation; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Ridley

My earlier statement said that a summary report of an international symposium published by the World Health Organisation had indicated an increased lung cancer risk amongst workers exposed in the early days of manufacture of man-made mineral fibres (MMMF). So far as domestic exposure was concerned I saidon the limited data so far available, there appears to be negligible risk to the health of householders, either from existing loft insulation installations, or from laying it themselves, or from infrequent visits to their lofts".

I stated that the Government had work in hand to collect more data and to assess the risks. I also undertook to give further advice, take action as necessary and to make another announcement when further medical advice was received.

Since making my statement, the International Agency for Research on Cancer has reviewed the evidence of carcinogenicity and has classified MMMF as possibly carcinogenic to humans. The Health and Safety Executive has received advice from the DHSS Committee on carcinogenicity and has issued a news release on 24 June, which confirms the appropriateness of the current precautions on exposure to MMMF in the work place. Meanwhile, the programme of work to collect more data on the extent of domestic exposure has been completed and the results presented to the committee on carcinogenicity for their assessment of the risk to health of householders.

The committee's advice on the risk to health from MMMF loft insulation, DIY installation and subsequent disturbance in the home was:

  1. "(i) the levels of exposure to MMMF reported for living spaces resulting from domestic loft insulation do not pose a carcinogenic risk of any practical consequence to the health of residents.
  2. (ii) the infrequent and short-term exposures to the higher levels of MMMF associated with DIY installation or disturbance of insulation do not pose a significant additional risk.
  3. (iii) it would be prudent nonetheless for installers to wear an appropriate mask as recommended during installation.
  4. (iv) the overall situation should be kept under review in the light of further developments of materials and types of installation."

In view of the committee's advice, householders need not be concerned about the presence of MMMF in their lofts, about installing it themselves, or about doing DIY work in lofts insulated with MMMF. The appropriate mask recommended for installation work is one conforming to BS 6016 or BS 2091. To avoid skin irritation, householders should also use gloves when handling this material.

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