§ Mrs. Helen JacksonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment has been made by the Chief Medical Officer about the possible danger of vapour fumes from unleaded petrol; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe Committees on CarcinogenicityCOC—and Medical Effects of Air Pollutants—COMEAP —set up by the Chief Medical Officer to advise him, have considered hazards to health from inhalation of benzene which is a component of vapour fumes from leaded and unleaded petrol. Benzene is an important component of leaded and unleaded petrol. It is limited by European Community directive to a maximum content of 5 per cent. by volume.
Benzene is toxic at high doses and is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as a human carcinogen. Long-term occupational exposure to benzene at concentrations a thousand times greater than those 300W typically found in urban air in the United Kingdom has been shown to increase the risk of certain types of leukaemia in adults: its use in industry is therefore strictly controlled. Although it is not possible to define an absolutely safe level of exposure to benzene, levels in outdoor air encountered in the United Kingdom are considered by COMEAP and the COC, to present a very low risk to health.