---

Ministry of Defence;Defence Evaluation and Research Agency

Answer

Mr. Livingstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what studies have been carried out by the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment to evaluate the long-term health effects of short-term exposure to the nerve agent Soman (GD); when these studies were carried out; and what were their conclusions. [31341] Mr. Arbuthnot: This is a matter for the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency under its framework document. I have asked the chief executive, DERA, to write to the hon. Member. Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Ken Livingstone, dated 6 June 1996: I have been asked to reply to you question concerning studies involving the nerve agent Soman. The Chemical Biological Defence Sector (CBD) at Porton Down is now part of the Protection and Life Sciences division (PLSD) of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) for which I am responsible as Chief Executive. No studies have been conducted to evaluate long term health effects on volunteers exposed to Soman. The only study carried out by CBD Sector specifically to investigate the long term effects of short term exposure to Soman examined the effects on mouse diaphragm muscle. The study indicated that subtle changes were observed in tissue 3 days after exposure to Soman. However, there was no observable difference in response between exposed and unexposed tissue 28 days after exposure. The findings of the study were published in the Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology in 1993 (Volume 45, pages 176-181). I hope this information is helpful.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

31341; 278 c519W

Session

1995-96

Subjects

Chemical and biological warfare Defence Chemical weapons Research