HL Deb 12 April 1994 vol 553 cc91-2WA
The Countess of Mar

asked Her Majesty"s Government:

What medical, clinical. and toxicological studies are available to support the statement of Earl Howe that "…sheep dip "flu is a recognised condition arising from contact with organophosphate com-pounds" (H.L. Deb., 16th December 1992, col. 554) and in how many cases have studies been made of delayed effects of such exposures.

The Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne

Sheep dip "flu is a recognised term to describe mild ill-health following exposure to organophosphorus (OP) sheep dip. We are unaware of any systematic studies carried out into this condition.

There have been a number of studies since the 1950s of the long term effects of exposure to OPs amongst chemical workers, farmers and those who have been admitted to hospital with OP poisoning and then recovered from the acute effects. Most have concentrat-ed upon the effects on the central nervous system. Notable recent examples are those by Maizlish et al (1987); Savage et al (1988); and Rosenstock et al (1991).