§ Mr. John CarlisleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what investigations have been carried out by his Department on the dangers of lead pollution in areas adjacent to motorways.
§ Mr. MoynihanIn January 1986 the Government reduced the maximum permitted lead content of petrol by almost two thirds and all new petrol-driven cars will be required to run on lead-free petrol from October 1990. Studies have been carried out by the Department to monitor the effectiveness of the legislation. They have shown a substantial decrease in air lead concentration throughout the country (average 53 per cent., motorway location 54 per cent.) and the levels found are well below the EEC limit value. Average blood lead concentrations measured in 1986 in adults living near a large motorway interchange and in children attending schools alongside busy main roads were also low.