§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of the impact on human health of(a) wood preservative and varnishing products, (b) alkylphenols, (c) brominated flame retardants, (d) organotin compounds, (e) phthalate esters, (f) short-chain chlorinated paraffins and (g) phthalates DEHP and DBP in products; what advice has been given to the public relating to their use; and if he will make a statement. [119083]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonWood preservatives and the use of organotin compounds in antifouling products are controlled under the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986 (as amended). The independent Advisory Committee on Pesticides (ACP) most recently considered the wood preservative substance IPBC, and is awaiting responses from the industry before recommending any necessary regulatory action on the 101 products containing this substance. The most recent review of a wood preservative before that was copper/ chrome/arsenic in November 2000, and the ACP recommended that approvals for the 32 products containing this could continue, subject to certain conditions. The organotin compounds, tributyltin oxide and tributyltin naphthenate, have previously been considered by the ACP. Information on assessments by the ACP are published on the following website: http:// www.pesticides.gov.uk/committees/acp/acp.htm
Advice on the safe use of pesticide products is given on product labels.
The majority of the other substances or groups of substances have been the subject of comprehensive risk assessment under the European Union Existing Substances Regulation (ESR). This has included nonylphenol (an alkylphenol), several brominated fire retardants, short-chain chlorinated paraffins and a number of phthalate esters, including DEHP and 1D BP.
For some, the United Kingdom competent authority, the Health and Safety Executive and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, acting jointly, have produced the risk assessment on behalf of all EU member states. Assessments that have been agreed by member states are publicly available on the website of the European Chemicals Bureau at: http://ecb.jrc.it/ existinq-chemicals/
No advice has been given by the Department to the public relating to the use of these compounds.
§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the impact on human health of(a) paints containing a high amount of volatile solvents and (b) adhesives and sealants marketed for use in the home; what advice has been given to the public relating to their use; and if he will make a statement. [119086]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonThe Department's Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants (COMEAP) considered the health effects of exposures to volatile organic compounds in the home in 1997. This applied to volatile organic compounds from a variety of sources. COMEAP's conclusions are published on its website at: www.doh.gov.uk/comeap/pdfs/comeap9798.pdf278W The Government commissioned the Medical Research Council Institute for Environment and Health to produce a leaflet to assist environmental health officers in giving advice to members of the public. This leaflet is available at: www.le.ac.uk/ieh/pdf/vocslflt.pdf