Question
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what plans he has made to identify the location of areas with high levels of (a) dioxins, (b) PCBs, (c) radon and (d) organic chemicals. - Includes figures.
Answer
Dr. Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has made to identify the location of areas with high levels of (a) dioxins, (b) PCBs, (c) radon and (d) organic chemicals. [43133] Angela Eagle: (a) Dioxins and (b) PCBs Dioxins and PCBs are ubiquitous pollutants which are found at low levels in the environment across the country. Small areas of elevated dioxin levels may be detected in the vicinity of processes which produce these chemicals as unwanted by-products. The Environment Agency (and formerly Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Pollution) have identified those processes with the potential to produce dioxins in order to regulate their emissions. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) has, since 1993, analysed for dioxins in samples of cows' milk collected from individual farms in the vicinity of potential industrial sources of these chemicals. Samples collected since 1994 have also been analysed for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs); all results have been published. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have not been manufactured in the UK since the late 1970s and their sole remaining use is sealed inside some electrical equipment. Their presence in the environment is likely to be due to historical uses. However, my Department and the Environment Agency are supporting research to identify the main sources of PCBs for human exposure. (c) Radon Since 1987 my Department has funded a programme to identify the areas of England affected by radon, and to offer free radon measurements to householders in the most affected areas. Similar programmes are undertaken in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and are the responsibilities of the respective Secretaries of State. In 1996, as a result of this programme, the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) published maps of England, based on 5 km ordnance survey grid squares, showing the percentage probability of homes being above the radon "Action Level" (the level above which we recommend that remedial action should be taken). In January of this year, invitations for free measurement were issued in order to complete a two-year programme to offer such measurements to every home in England with a greater than 5 per cent. probability of being above the Action Level. (d) Organic Chemicals My Department has funded the continuous real time measurement of 25 organic chemicals in the air since 1993. The compounds measured have been selected because of their photochemical oxidant formation potential and possible health impacts. There are 13 sites in the network, including roadside, urban background and rural locations. Results of the monitoring are published annually in the Department's Digest of Environmental Statistics, and are available on the Department's Internet site. In addition my Department has recently begun work to investigate the levels of benzene in the vicinity of petrol stations.