§ Ms. RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether he has any knowledge of evidence that dioxins have been found in paper products made from chlorine-bleached wood pulp;
488W(2) if his Department has any information on how dioxins find their way into human tissue;
(3) what information he has on level of dioxin pollution present in air in the United Kingdom;
(4) what information he has on the major source of dioxins resulting from industrial processes.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyI refer the hon. Member to my answer of 14 February at columns189–90 which made reference to the statement currently being prepared on the known source of dioxins, their possible health effects and the expected exposure of the public to them.
Information is available in the scientific literature and from measurements in the United Kingdom that dioxins may in some circumstances be formed during the manufacture of certain chemicals and pesticides and during the combustion of organic materials.
As far as is known no measurements have been made in the United Kingdom on the levels of dioxins in ambient air.
Dioxins, if present in food, air or other products, may be absorbed into the body via the digestive system, via the respiratory system or by contact with the skin, respectively.
Information has been published in the scientific literature on the levels of dioxins found in certain paper products made from chlorine bleached wood pulp.
All these issues will be addressed in the forthcoming statement.