§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children in each family health services authority area were suffering from higher than expected levels of radioactive polonium 210 in their teeth in the latest available year; and what were the figures for(a) five years and (b) 10 years ago.
§ Mr. SackvilleThis information is not available. However, preliminary findings from a recent study funded by the Department reported elevated levels of polonium-210—a naturally occurring radionuclide—in the teeth of children living within 10 km of some motorways in the United Kingdom as reported inThe Lancet on 4 February 1995. The study did not provide evidence that these levels are in any way sufficient to imply a risk to health. The Government are currently considering the options for further research in this area.