§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into a link between contaminated waste sites and birth defects in the local area. [77800]
§ Mr. Meale(a) Following the publication of the EUROHAZCON study on congenital anomalies near hazardous landfill sites, the following research has been commissioned:
The Small Area Health Statistics Unit (SAHSU) (Imperial College) has been commissioned to carry out a study of health effects around landfill sites, including congenital malformations.
(b) The following research has been evaluated.
885WA one day meeting of experts was held on 26 January 1999 by the MRC Institute of Environment and Health, at the request of this Department, to discuss the links between health effects, especially congenital anomalies, and landfill sites. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss recent research findings, to identify gaps in the knowledge base, and to agree and prioritise further research requirements. The meeting made a number of recommendations for further research work. We are currently considering the best way to take forward these recommendations.