Mr. Alan W. WilliamsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence she has in respect of the effect of biodegradation of compounds of antimony used in flameproofing cot mattresses; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe hypothesis that toxic gases are released from the biodegradation of the flameproofing compounds in cot mattresses and covers was thoroughly investigated in 1990 by an expert working group chaired by Professor Paul Turner. The group found no evidence that there was a link between sudden infant death syndrome incidence, the presence of antimony and associated low levels of arsenic impurity, or phosphorus additives in cot mattresses and their covers, microbial contamination of those mattresses and covers and the generation of toxic volatile gases.
Dr. Kenneth Calman, the chief medical officer, has recently set up an expert group to steer further work by the Department of Health on cot deaths. This group is chaired by Lady Limerick.
The group's terms of reference are:
To review the findings of the report on "Sudden Infant Death Syndromes (The "Turner Report", 1991) and any subsequent data on hypotheses linking antimony with unexplained deaths in infants; and to advise the CMO on what further studies should be undertaken to investigate postulated causal relationships between chemicals and cot deaths.The group has been asked to review the available material and to provide the Department with advice as quickly as possible.