HC Deb 06 July 1988 vol 136 cc597-8W
Mr. Strang

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what controls there are on the use of pentachlorophenol in the United Kingdom; and what are the circumstances in which its use is permitted.

Mr. Nicholls

The Health and Safety Executive recommends that all occupational exposure to pentachlorophenol should be controlled to a recommended limit of 0.5 mg m-3 8-hour time weighted average (8 hour TWA) and 1.5 mg m-3 10-minute TWA. In addition, HSE guidance note EH 40 draws attention to the risk of absorption of pentachlorophenol through the skin.

Pesticides containing pentachlorophenol can only be used following formal ministerial approval based on the advice of the Advisory Committee on Pesticides. Conditions of use have to be specified on the label.

Mr. Strang

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what information he has as to the circumstances under which pentachlorophenol (PCP) is permitted to be used in the United States of America.

Mr. Nicholls

I am informed that in the United States of America the American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) recommends for occupational exposure to pentachlorophenol a threshold limit value of 0.5 mg m-3 8 hour TWA and draws attention to the risks of skin absorption. The use of pentachlorophenol in products other than wood preservatives is not permitted in the United States of America.

Mr. Strang

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what information he has as to which European countries ban pentachlorophenol (PCP) and as to the particular circumstances in which other European countries prohibit the use of (PCP).

Mr. Nicholls

I am informed that the Federal Republic of Germany has recently announced a total ban on the use of pentachlorophenol. The Health and Safety Executive is not aware of any other country in Europe which has banned or prohibited the use of pentachlorophenol.