§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps urgently to investigate the health implications of the use of Cellacast; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. DorrellI have been asked to reply.
A research assessment of splinting materials of this kind was carried out for the Department by a team from Salford university who reported in 1989. Their conclusion was that synthetic bandages are unlikely to cause a problem to either operators or patients unless cast removal is being performed for protracted periods in a particularly confined and unventilated environment. In the latter case, use of dust extraction equipment must be considered prudent.