HC Deb 23 March 1994 vol 240 c278W
Mr. Harvey

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his Department's assessment of safe or acceptable pollution levels; and what are those adopted by(a) the World Health Organisation and (b) the European Union; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Atkins

As set out in the 1990 Environment White Paper it is the aim of the Government's pollution policy to minimise the risk of harm to human health and the environment. The World Health Organisation publishes guideline values, but not standards, for non-carcinogenic pollutants in drinking-water and air quality which are based on minimising health effects alone. There is no single principle by which pollution level standards have been adopted in the European Community.