HC Deb 09 December 1987 vol 124 c207W
Mr. Day

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services when the industrial injuries advisory council's reports on halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbons and non-ionising radiation are to be published; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Scott

Both reports were published yesterday. The report on non-ionising radiation recommends that no changes be made to the existing legislation. The report on halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbons and n-hexane recommends that the following conditions be added to the schedule of prescribed industrial diseases

  1. (i) Damage to the liver or kidneys due to exposure to carbon tetrachloride.
  2. (ii) Damage to the liver or kidneys due to exposure to trichloromethane (chloroform).
  3. (iii) Central nervous system dysfunction and associated gastrointestinal disorders due to exposure to chloromethane (methyl chloride).
  4. (iv) Peripheral neuropathy due to exposure to n-hexane or methyl n-butyl ketone.

The Government accept the council's recommendations and regulations will be laid on 11 December to bring them into operation on 4 January 1988.