§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the link between exposure of soldiers to organophosphates during the Gulf war and Gulf war syndrome; and if he will make a statement. [8553]
§ Dr. Reid[holding answer 16 July 1997]: Research is currently under way to try to determine the effects of low-level exposure to organophosphate pesticides on human health in the context of ill health claimed by some farm workers. This work is sponsored jointly by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Department of Health and the Health and Safety Executive and is due to report in 1999. This will be an important step towards understanding the possible effects of potential exposures to organophosphorous-based products of British troops during the Gulf war. However, pending the outcome of this and other work, there is no firm evidence to support a link between low level exposure to OPs and adverse health effects.