§ Mr. LivingstoneTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what studies have been carried out by the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment to evaluate the long-term health effects of short-term exposure to the nerve agent Sarin; when these studies were carried out; and what were the conclusions of these studies. [28135]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotThis is a matter for the chief executive of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment. I have asked him to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Ken Livingstone, dated 8 May 1996:
I have been asked to reply to your question about studies on health effects after exposure to Sarin carried out by the former Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment since this falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency which incudes CBD Sector in one of its divisions.No studies have been carried out by the Porton Down specifically to evaluate the long-term health effects on humans of short-term exposure to the nerve agent Sarin.As part of the research programme to develop improved methods for providing protection and therapy against the effects of chemical warfare agents a study has been conducted using the technique of single fibre electromyography (SFEMG). This study involved taking SFEMG measurements at intervals up to 30 months after the exposure of volunteers to a low level of the nerve agent Sarin.Small changes in SFEMG were seen at 3 hours and 3 days after exposure to a level of Sarin which caused a reduction in the volunteers' red cell acetyl cholinesterase activity to 60% of normal levels. The SFEMG changes were not accompanied by any clinical neuromuscular symptoms or signs and had returned to normal two years after exposure.This work, which began in 1983, involved eight volunteers. The results of the study have been submitted for publication in the open literature.I hope this information is helpful.