§ Lord Cullen of Ashbourneasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will initiate a programme to analyse the main air pollutants in Britain's major hospitals; and whether they will ensure that, where necessary, all parts of the air conditioning systems are cleaned.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Security (Lord Skelmersdale)Air pollution in hospitals is under continual review. Guidance is provided to health authorities in minimising various problems—for example, the removal of anaesthetic gas pollution in operating departments and the control of contaminants within laboratories. Many hospitals now follow a no-smoking policy.
Guidance is also provided on the frequency of cleaning measures for the appropriate parts of air conditioning and ventilation systems, and health authorities are expected to adopt these recommendations.