HC Deb 24 February 1992 vol 204 cc406-7W
Dr. David Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the calculations and data upon which figure 2, Food Surveillance Paper No. 31, "Estimated relative contribution to total TCDD released into the atmosphere from sources of dioxins and furans in the United Kingdom" is based.

Mr. Trippier

Figure 2 in Food Surveillance Paper 31, "Dioxins in Food" is taken from information in Chapter 3 of the Department of the Environment's Pollution Paper 27, "Dioxins in the Environment" published in 1989. The figure shows the estimated relative combined contributions from both known combustion sources and other sources, such as manufacture, processing and use of chlorinated aromatic and other chemicals and chlorine bleached materials and metallurgical processes. It thus refers to releases to the environment, not just atmosphere.

Unfortunately an arithmetical error has affected the numbers shown in Figure 2, although not the relative importance given to each source. The correct figures taken from Pollution Paper 27 are given in the table. I would stress, however, that the figures are relatively crude estimates although based on the best information available at the time.

Source Relative contribution per cent. Per cent Estimated quantity released into the environment each year, g TCDD1
20 metallurgical processes etc.
Manufacturer and use of organic chemicals 30

' Figures from Pollution Paper 27, Dioxins in the Environment.