Written question asked by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 31 January 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 2 February 2006. It was answered by Caroline Flint (Labour) on Thursday, 9 February 2006 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Catalytic Converters

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment she has made of the possible health implications arising from the use of monomolecular layers of platinum, with particular reference to catalytic converters.

Answer: The possible effects of platinum compounds emitted by vehicles fitted with catalytic converters have been considered by both the Committee on the Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT) and the Committee on Medical Effects of Air Pollutants (COMEAP). Both committees concluded that emissions of allergenic platinum compounds were unlikely. COMEAP commented that adverse reactions might conceivably arise in those already sensitised by other, higher exposures. Details are available in the COT/COC/COM annual report for 1996 and in the COMEAP annual report for 1994.

Secondary information