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 James Clappison (Conservative) on Wednesday, 18 December 1996 on behalf of the Department of the Environment.

Dept of the Environment

Question: What statistics his Department has collated on the incidence of accidents involving the release of formaldehyde into the environment from industrial premises. - Inc ref to relevant extracts from Environment Agency chemical release inventory (in the Lib) and table.

Answer: Mr. Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what statistics his Department has collated on the incidence of accidents involving the release of formaldehyde into the environment from industrial premises. [9566] Mr. Clappison: I have been asked to reply. The Environment Agency regulates a number of companies which emit formaldehyde to the environment under the integrated pollution control regime. The agency's chemical release inventory, which is available for public access, provides details of formaldehyde emissions. I have placed in the House Library a copy of relevant extracts from the inventory. These show total recorded releases--in tonnes--as follows: _________________________________________________________________________________________________. England Wales 1994 194.700 93.880 1995 215.200 37.230 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. I understand from the Environment Agency that none of the recorded releases was the result of an accident.

Secondary information