HC Deb 21 June 1990 vol 174 cc632-3W
Dr. Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has received a copy of the report prepared for the European Parliament's environment committee on the Commission's proposal for a directive on the disposal of polychlorinated biphenyls and terphynyls, document A3—84/90 SYN161, dated 4 April; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Trippier

I have received a copy of the report mentioned by the hon. Member. The report has been adopted by the European Parliament and it is now for the Commission to decide whether, in the light of this, to make a revised proposal to the Council.

Mr. Tony Lloyd

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he has reassessed the safety of incineration as a means to dispose of polychlorinated biphenyls; and if he will make a statement;

(2) what research his Department has commissioned into the effects of incineration of polychlorinated biphenyl chemicals in (a) residential areas and (b) non-residential areas;

(3) which specific dangers there are during the process of incinerating polychlorinated biphenyls; which dangerous chemicals can be produced during the incineration of polychlorinated biphenyls and at what level; and what danger they pose to people and the environment.

Mr. Trippier

Uncontrolled burning of polychlorinated biphenyls—PCBs—can produce traces of dioxins and furans. Properly designed and operated incinerators for disposing of PCBs, however, should not produce emissions harmful to the environment. The Department's pollution paper No. 27, "Dioxins in the Environment", published last year, found that in well-managed incinerators used for the combustion of waste, including PCBs, emissions of dioxins and furans were reduced to negligible levels. The paper assesses the health hazards from these compounds and sets out the steps and research undertaken by the Government to reduce human and environmental exposure. Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution is investigating the occurrence of PCBs, dioxins and furans in soil in urban and rural areas and issued a report in November last year. Copies of these documents are available in the Library.