HC Deb 01 June 1998 vol 313 cc9-13W

(a) PCBs and (c) Dioxins

The toxicity of both dioxins and PCBs has been reviewed by the Department of Health's advisory Committee on the Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT). COT has recommended that a tolerable daily intake (TDI) of 10 picograms per kilogram of body weight should be employed to assess the health risks of combinations of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs. A recent MAFF survey showed that for UK adults dietary intakes of dioxins and PCBs are declining and are below the TDI recommended by COT. My Department, together with MAFF, Department of Health and HSE are supporting further research on infant exposure to dioxins, PCBs and other organic chemicals via human milk.

Research on potential health effects of exposure to a wider range of environmental chemicals is funded through several joint programmes by Government Departments, Agencies and industry. Plans are already underway to look at the health effects of chemicals in the environment and to investigate the effects of potential endocrine disrupting chemicals on male reproductive health. The Government also support the work of the Small Area Health Statistics Unit, based at Imperial College of Science and Technology in London, which examines the possible relationship between human health and environmental contamination from point and small area sources.

(d) Radon

A study of lung cancer and radon gas in the home has been carried out by the Imperial Cancer Research Fund (ICRF). The study was partly funded by my Department, the Department of Health, the National Radiological Protection Board and ICRF. The results of the study were announced on 19 May 1998, and will be published in the July edition of the British Journal of Cancer.

(b) Organic Chemicals

The Expert Panel on Air Quality Standards (EPAQs) has recommended air quality standards for benzene and 1,3 butadiene. These standards, of 5 parts per billion for benzene and 1 part per billion for 1,3 butadiene, both as a running annual averages, have been adopted in the Government's National Air Quality Strategy. Last year the Government prescribed a national objective for these standards to be achieved by the end of 2005.

Dr. Gibson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will introduce universal standards for the assessment of organic chemical and gas pollution levels before building permission is granted on brownfield sites. [43135]

Angela Eagle

The potential risks arising from contamination of land can be fully assessed only on a site-specific basis. The risks which might be caused by any given level of contamination will vary greatly from site to site, depending on the proposed land use, the details of design and construction of any proposed buildings, and variability in the underlying soil and geology of the site. This means that it is not practical to create universal standards, expressed in terms of mandatory limit values for different contaminants.

However, my Department is developing a new framework for indicative soil guideline values to assist in the site-specific assessment of potential risks to human health. I expect to be able to publish the first output from this programme in the Autumn.

Dr. Gibson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to inform potential home buyers of local levels of(a) radon, (b) PCBs, (c) organic chemicals and (d) dioxin levels. [43134]

Angela Eagle

The information is as follows.

(a) Radon

The maps published by the National Radiological Protection Board in 1996, based on 5 km ordnance survey grid squares, showing the percentage probability of homes being above the radon "Action Level" (the level above which we recommend that remedial action should be taken) allow householders and their advisers to identify the areas where radon is most likely to be found.

(b) PCBs and (d) Dioxins

There are no plans to specifically inform home buyers of local levels of dioxins and PCBs since all monitoring data is in the public domain. Most of the processes with the potential to produce dioxins are controlled under the Environmental Protection Act (1990) and are regulated by the Environment Agency and Local Authorities. Information on authorisations and the associated monitoring data are maintained on public registers and are available for public scrutiny. Information on airborne concentrations of PCBs measured in the national network is published in periodic reports and is on the Department's Internet site.

(c) Organic Chemicals

Real time information on airborne concentrations of benzene and 1,3 butadiene are available on television text services, the Internet and a freephone. Information on other organic chemicals monitored in the national network are published annually and are available on the Department's Internet site: http://www.environment.detr.gov.uk/airq/aqinfo.htm

Dr. Gibson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has made to identify the location of areas with high levels of(a) dioxins, (b) PCBs, (c) radon and (d) organic chemicals. [43133]

Angela Eagle

The information is as follows.

(a) Dioxins and (b) PCBs

Dioxins and PCBs are ubiquitous pollutants which are found at low levels in the environment across the country. Small areas of elevated dioxin levels may be detected in the vicinity of processes which produce these chemicals as unwanted by-products. The Environment Agency (and formerly Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Pollution) have identified those processes with the potential to produce dioxins in order to regulate their emissions. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) has, since 1993, analysed for dioxins in samples of cows' milk collected from individual farms in the vicinity of potential industrial sources of these chemicals. Samples collected since 1994 have also been analysed for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs); all results have been published.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have not been manufactured in the UK since the late 1970s and their sole remaining use is sealed inside some electrical equipment. Their presence in the environment is likely to be due to historical uses. However, my Department and the Environment Agency are supporting research to identify the main sources of PCBs for human exposure.

(c) Radon

Since 1987 my Department has funded a programme to identify the areas of England affected by radon, and to offer free radon measurements to householders in the most affected areas. Similar programmes are undertaken in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and are the responsibilities of the respective Secretaries of State. In 1996, as a result of this programme, the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) published maps of England, based on 5 km ordnance survey grid squares, showing the percentage probability of homes being above the radon "Action Level" (the level above which we recommend that remedial action should be taken). In January of this year, invitations for free measurement were issued in order to complete a two-year programme to offer such measurements to every home in England with a greater than 5 per cent. probability of being above the Action Level.

(d) Organic Chemicals

My Department has funded the continuous real time measurement of 25 organic chemicals in the air since 1993. The compounds measured have been selected because of their photochemical oxidant formation potential and possible health impacts. There are 13 sites in the network, including roadside, urban background and rural locations. Results of the monitoring are published annually in the Department's Digest of Environmental Statistics, and are available on the Department's Internet site. In addition my Department has recently begun work to investigate the levels of benzene in the vicinity of petrol stations.

Dr. Gibson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to detect background levels of(a) PCBs, (b) radon, (c) organic chemicals and (d) dioxins; and if he will publish them. [43138]

Angela Eagle

The information is as follows.

(a) PCBs and (d) Dioxins

Work is already underway to establish background levels of dioxins and PCBs in air, soil and foods. The Environment Agency is continually reviewing levels of these chemicals in the environment and reports findings to the public. The last comprehensive survey of dioxins in UK soils was published by HM Inspectorate of Pollution in 1989. PCBs were not included in this survey. The Environment Agency is planning to carry out further background work on soils. Monitoring for dioxins and PCBs in UK air is carried out through the Toxic Organic MicroPollutants (TOMPs) network. The network has been in operation since 1991 and currently collects samples from 3 urban and 3 rural sites. Results of these monitoring programmes are published annually in the Department's Digest of Environmental Statistics, and are available on the Department's Internet site. MAFF also monitors the levels of dioxins, PCBs and other organic chemicals in foodstuffs; all results are published.

(b) Radon

Since 1987 my Department has funded a programme to identify the areas of England affected by radon, and to offer free radon measurements to householders in the most affected areas. Similar programmes are undertaken in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and are the responsibilities of the respective Secretaries of State. In 1996, as a result of this programme, the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) published maps of England, based on 5 km ordnance survey grid squares, showing the percentage probability of homes being above the radon "Action Level" (the level above which we recommend that remedial action should be taken). In January of this year, invitations for free measurement were issued in order to complete a two-year programme to offer such measurements to every home in England with a greater than 5 per cent. probability of being above the Action Level.

(c) Organic Chemicals

My Department has funded the continuous real time measurement of 25 organic chemicals in the air since 1993. The compounds measured have been selected because of their photochemical oxidant formation potential and possible health impacts. There are 13 sites in the network, including roadside, urban background and rural locations. Results of the monitoring are published annually in the Department's Digest of Environmental Statistics, and are available on the Department's Internet site. In addition my Department has recently begun work to investigate the levels of benzene in the vicinity of petrol stations.

Dr. Gibson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to inform local authorities of various procedures and techniques available for brownfield site clean-up. [43137]

Angela Eagle

The Department has carried out research on remedial treatment for contaminated land in collaboration with various bodies and organisations and the results have been published for the use not only of local authorities but also developers and others interested in the subject. Partners in producing work have included the Construction Industry Research and Information Association, AEA Technology plc and BRE.