§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 6 June 2000,Official Report, columns 195-96W, what assessment he has made of the possible occurrence of potential health risk to small children using the bridleway and allotments listed as having received toxic ash from the Byker Heat Station. [126006]
§ Mr. Meacher[holding answer 15 June 2000]: Following discussions involving senior officials of the City Council and the Environment Agency, and having received advice from the Food Standards Agency, the Director of Public Health for the Newcastle and North Tyneside Health Authority and the Head of Public Health and Environment Protection for Newcastle City Council jointly issued precautionary advice on 6 April 2000 which included the recommendation that children aged two and under should not play in the named allotments to avoid contact with the ash.
This precautionary advice is expected to remain in force until further investigations have been undertaken to enable proper assessment as to whether or not there has been any exposure to the dioxins and heavy metals, and therefore a potential risk to health. This will include further testing on eggs, soil and vegetables.