§ Mr. Ian McCartneyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the permitted levels for the occupational exposure level of trichloroethylene following the decision of the Swedish Government to reduce permitted exposure levels. [4550]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordTrichloroethylene is one of the priority substances being reviewed under the European Union's existing substances regulation. The United Kingdom, through the Health and Safety Executive and the Department of the Environment, leads on this review, which will include a comprehensive risk review of all available scientific data on the human health and environmental effects of trichloroethylene. The conclusion of the review at EU level will help determine whether there is a need to revise occupational exposure limits. Trichloroethylene currently has a maximum exposure limit set under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1994.