HL Deb 13 July 1995 vol 565 cc117-8WA
The Countess of Mar

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they can account for the levels of urinary metabolites found in research volunteers who were wearing recommended protective clothing whilst dipping sheep (Niven et al 1994), and why they consider these levels were similar to those found in a previous study (Niven et al 1993) where volunteers were not wearing protective clothing; and if not whether they will commission further research.

Earl Ferrers

Urinary metabolites of organophosphates significantly above background levels were found in only a few of the volunteers (Nivenet al 1994); the researchers commented on possible reasons for these findings relating to work practices. The reasons for similarity with urine metabolite levels found previously (Niven et al 1993) are not known.

The researchers also investigated the effectiveness of personal protective equipment using whole body sampling suits; they described its overall performance as very high with minimal penetration.

The latest research will be considered by the Veterinary Products Committee.

The Countess of Mar

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they can account for the presence of (a) dimethyl phosphate (DMP), (b) dimethyl triphosphate (DMTP) and (c) dimethyl dithiophosphate (DMDTP) in urine samples of sheep dippers who had used Diazinon, and in what circumstances these metabolites are usually found.

Earl Ferrers

Health and Safety Executive research has identified low background levels of DMP and DMTP in urine samples from individuals in a range of occupations. The levels of DMP and DMTP reported in two recent studies by the Institute of Occupational Medicine (Niven et al 1993, Niven et al 1994) in sheep dippers are comparable to those found in employees who are not occupationally exposed to diazinon. In the same studies DMDTP were not detected.