§ Mr. Nigel GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he has taken to monitor the effects on patients and staff at Liberton and Southfield hospitals as a result of the burning of asbestos at the protein fractionation centre in south Edinburgh.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThere is no evidence that the incineration of filters containing asbestos emitted harmful asbestos fibres. The protein fractionation centre, in conjunction with the Health and Safety Executive, is carefully examing the incineration procedure which was used until February. When the results of this examination are complete, it will be possible to assess whether there is a requirement to monitor the health of patients and staff at the local hospitals.
§ Mr. Nigel GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much material containing asbestos was burnt at Edinburgh's protein fractionation centre from 1979; and what steps were taken to evaluate the risk involved prior to the decision to incinerate materials.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThe filters incinerated between 1979 and February 1989 (when incineration ceased) weighed about 15,500 kg and contained about 5,000 kg of asbestos. The protein fractionation centre has used asbestos filters in the manufacturing process for blood products since 1975. Used filters may contain potentially-harmful viral material and it is essential that the method of disposal effectively eliminates any hazards. In 1975, high temperature incineration in a multi-stage incinerator was adopted as the safest method of disposal of these and other biologically contaminated materials. This decision was taken in the wake of the serious hepatitis outbreak in Edinburgh (1969–71) and the recommendations of the subsequent Rosenheim report (1972) and was also supported by the local authority department of28W environmental health. In 1978 the World Health Organisation (WHO) promulgated the requirement that biological waste of this type must be incinerated or autoclaved.