§ Mr. HardyTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what toxic substances were contained in a shipment of copper hydroxide sludge received by Wath Recycling Company from the FMC Corporation of the United States of America; and to what health risks those(a) employed in this plant and (b) in the neighbouring communities were exposed.
§ Mr. Nicholls[holding answer 19 October 1989]: The Health and Safety Executive's analysis of the copper hydroxide sludge showed that Xylene, 2, 3,—dihydro-2, 2—dimethy1 benzofuran, and chlorinated phenolic compounds were present.
Xylene is a skin and eye irritant, which can affect the liver and cause loss of consciousness when concentrations are high. It is not a carcinogen. No documented toxicological data is available for 2, 3—Dihydro—2, 2—dimethyl benzofuran but related substances are known to be either carcinogenic to animals and possibly humans or toxic. Chlorinated phenolic compounds are toxic and possibly carcinogenic.
The Health and Safety Executive considered that whilst the bulk stack of sludge was left undisturbed there was unlikely to be any significant risk to people on or off site. This risk would increase during the process of repacking, but Health and Safety Executive inspectors ensured that suitable precautions were taken by both employees and the neighbouring communities.