§ Sir Anthony GrantTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list all industries the processes of which130W discharge dioxin or heavy metals into the atmosphere together with details of illnesses directly or indirectly attributed thereto; and if she will make a statement. [14427]
§ Mr. SackvilleThe main industrial processes which discharge dioxin and/or heavy metals are incineration plants, power stations and other combustion plants, metal industry processes and chemical plants.
The health effects of emissions from the burning of any fuel cannot be determined unless the specific components of the fuel and the method and temperature of its combustion are known. Discharges of dioxins and heavy metals must be kept within levels whereby no harm to health should occur. No illnesses are known to be directly or indirectly caused by such discharges in the United Kingdom.