Written question asked by Llew Smith (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 18 December 1996. It was answered by Paul Beresford (Conservative) on Wednesday, 18 December 1996 on behalf of the Department of the Environment.

Dept of the Environment

Question: What research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the carcinogenic properties of formaldehyde.

Answer: Mr. Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the carcinogenic properties of formaldehyde. [9567] Sir Paul Beresford: I have been asked to reply. The Health and Safety Executive on behalf of the Health and Safety Commission reviewed the health effects and occupational exposure of formaldehyde for the purpose of setting an occupational exposure limit in 1984. In 1993, a study carried out for HSE by the Medical Research Council toxicology unit concluded that formaldehyde is not a carcinogen. There are no on-going research projects into the carcinogenicity of formaldehyde.

Secondary information