§ Ms. WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence there is that tampons produced from chlorine-bleached fibres can provide a means whereby dioxins enter the human body.
§ Mr. FreemanI refer the hon. Member to my reply to her on 14 February at column179.
§ Ms. WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to require sanitary tampon manufacturers to print warnings regarding toxic shock syndrome on the packets.
§ Ms. RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will issue safety guidelines for sanitary tampon manufacturers;
(2) if he will take steps to alert consumers of sanitary tampons to medical research which has suggested that there are health problems related to them.
§ Mr. Freeman[holding answer 14 February 1989]: Four years ago the Government set up a voluntary prior 520W approval scheme with the sanitary protection industry, under which manufacturers submit to Government any new tampon or tampons to which there have been significant changes in design or materials, and toxicologists from the Department of Health scrutinise them to decide whether they pose a health hazard. I am satisfied that this scheme is adequate to safeguard the public and I commend it as a good example of a responsible industry voluntarily looking after the interests of its customers. Sanitary tampon manufacturers already include with their products leaflets giving consumers information on toxic shock syndrome and personal hygiene.
§ Ms. RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will now include sanitary towels and tampons among the articles covered by the good manufacturing practice specified by the Department of Health.
§ Mr. FreemanNo. The voluntary prior approval scheme set up four years ago by the Government and the sanitary protection industry already ensures that any new tampon or major change in tampon design or materials can be properly checked to decide whether or not they pose a health hazard.
§ Ms. RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will fund research on the health effects of using sanitary tampons.
§ Mr. FreemanWe look to the Medical Research Council, which receives its grant-in-aid from the Department of Education and Science, for the support of biomedical research.