Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what investigations are currently under way or planned to evaluate the absorbed plutonium uptake into the teeth of children living near the Sellafield reprocessing plant.
§ Mrs. CurrieFollowing a recommendation in the report by the Independent Advisory Group*, established in 1983 to investigate the possible increased incidence of cancer in west Cumbria, the Department has agreed to fund a study into the levels of bone-seeking radionuclides such as plutonium in the teeth of young people. The study will involve the collection, from all parts of the United Kingdom, including west Cumbria, of shed deciduous (milk) teeth, and permanent teeth extracted in the course of normal dental practice. This work is being undertaken jointly by the Harwell laboratory and the physics department of the University of Bristol.
*"Investigation of the Possible Increased Incidence of Cancer in West Cumber" (HMSO 1984).