§ Mr. LivingstoneTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what evaluation the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment has made of whether short-term exposure to CR gas can harm human health in the long term. [60328]
§ Mr. Doug HendersonThis is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Ken Livingstone, dated 28 November 1998:
I have been asked to reply to your Question about the long term effects of short term exposure to CR gas on human health.Biomedical studies conducted at DERA's Chemical and Biological Defence sector (CBD) at Porton Down, and elsewhere, show CR to be a potent sensory irritant with a relatively low toxicity. It has no organ-specific toxicity. CR does not appear to accumulate following short term exposure and it is apparently devoid of long term or chronic toxic effects.I hope this is helpful.