§ Mr. SwayneTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when the Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants plans to consider aldehydes; and if he will make a statement; [66728]
(2) what further action he plans to take to reduce levels of aldehydes in ambient air; and what plans he has for further research into their sources. [66713]
§ Ms JowellThis Department's Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants will be examining the health effects of aldehydes as part of its on-going review of pollutants, probably towards the end of 1999. The committee's advice will determine whether further research is appropriate, including the further identification of sources.
We understand that there is no detailed inventory of the sources of formaldehyde emissions in the United Kingdom. However, road vehicles are likely to be a significant source, particularly in built-up areas. Action taken to implement new European legislation to reduce emissions from new passenger cars and light duty vans in 2000 and 2005 is likely to reduce emissions of hydrocarbons (including aldehydes) from road transport. Further changes to improve fuel quality from 2000 and 2005 are also expected to reduce significantly the level of noxious emissions from the existing vehicle fleet.