HC Deb 31 October 1994 vol 248 c902W
Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the subjects of any reports currently being prepared by the committee on the medical effects of air pollutants, showing the time frames for(a) their completion and (b) their publication.

Mr. Sackville

Two sub-groups of the committee on the medical effects of air pollutants, on asthma and particles respectively, are expected to report back to the main committee by early 1995. The committee will consider their draft reports, with a view to agreeing publication as soon as possible thereafter.

In addition, a summary of COMEAP's work up to the end of 1994 is being prepared and will be published, jointly with material on the work of the advisory committee on the medical aspects of air pollution episodes. Publication is expected towards the end of this year.

Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list each study undertaken for her Department this year on correlations between atmospheric pollution and the incidence of asthma and respiratory illnesses showing the time frames for(a) their completion and (b) their publication.

Mr. Malone

The relevant research studies funded in this year through the Department of Health's centrally commissioned programme areMiddlesbrough Childhood Asthma study—University of Teesside 1 May 1994–30 April 1995. Health Effects of the Nitrogen Dioxide Episode in London, December 1991—st. George's Hospital Medical School; 1 April 1993-28 February 1994. Modified National Study of Health and Growth, which includes the prevalence of asthma in children-United Medical and Dental Schools (UMDS) of Guy's and St. Thomas's; 1 January 1993–31 December 1995 (part of a programme of work and not separately costed). It is planned to commission two further studies this year which will begin in 1995. Impact of Air Pollution and Temperature on General Practitioner Consultations—University College Medical School; 1 January 1995-31 December 1995. Personal exposure to Air Pollutants and Severity of Hay Fever Symptoms in London Traffic Wardens-Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine; 1 February 1995–6 November 1995. Reports arising from all these studies will be published in the normal way.