Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Countess of Mar (Crossbench). It was answered by Lord Rooker (Labour) on Monday, 28 April 2008.

Health: Organophosphates and Carbamates

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether low-level exposures to organophosphates and carbonates are a contributing factor in the ill health of some Gulf War veterans and sheep farmers.

Answer: My Lords, the Government have spent more than £4 million on research to investigate claims of ill health as a result of low-level exposure to organophosphates in sheep farmers. Another £8.5 million has been spent on investigating Gulf veterans’ illnesses. None of the research so far has confirmed a link between chronic low-level exposure to organophosphates and ill health in humans. Some studies relating to sheep dip remain to be completed, and their results will be reviewed on completion. The noble Countess made a correction in her Question. Carbamates are a group of pesticides allied to OPs, but they are not components of sheep dips. They have not been raised in this context or by Gulf War veterans as a specific cause of illness.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 701 c1
Session: 2007-08
Oral question type: Lead
Chamber / Committee: House of Lords chamber
Subjects: Health hazards Iraq-Kuwait conflict Farmers Pesticides Sheep Gulf War syndrome Organophosphates Sheep dipping Veterans Carbamates
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk