§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what current research is being undertaken into the effects of naturally occurring radon gas on people.
§ Mr. SackvilleI have been asked to reply.
A comprehensive case-control study of lung cancer incidence in the areas with the highest domestic radon concentrations in the United Kingdom, Devon and Cornwall, is currently being carried out by the Imperial Cancer Research Fund in association with the National Radiological Protection Board. This study is funded jointly by these groups, Government and the Commission of the European Community.
The NRPB is also engaged in several epidemiological studies in collaboration with other Government departments and charities such as the Leukaemia Research Fund and the ICRF. These studies are investigating the effect of radon on the incidence of lung cancer, various other cancers, and leukaemia.
In addition, the Department of Health is funding laboratory research which complements the human studies. These are designed to determine the mutation rate and toxicity in lung tissues.