Written question asked by Brian Jenkins (Labour) on Tuesday, 28 October 1997, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 4 November 1997. It was answered by Angela Eagle (Labour) on Tuesday, 4 November 1997 on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will list the research centres whose work has been evaluated by his Department in respect of research into (a) exposure to fine wood dust and (b) exposure to formaldehyde particles; what contact his Department has had with them; and what contact is planned in the future.

Answer: Mr. Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the research centres whose work has been evaluated by his Department in respect of research into (a) exposure to fine wood dust and (b) exposure to formaldehyde particles; what contact his Department has had with them; and what contact is planned in the future. [13866] Angela Eagle: Comprehensive reviews of the international scientific literature were undertaken by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and considered by the Health and Safety Commission when advising on the setting of Maximum Exposure Limits for formaldehyde and softwood dusts under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations. Studies have been carried out on formaldehyde for HSE by the Medical Research Council toxicology unit. HSE has also commissioned work on wood dust with the Health and Safety Laboratory. Future contact will depend on the nature of the new research commissioned and the findings that emerge. Studies on non-occupational exposure have been carried out for my Department by the Medical Research Council's Institute for Environment and Health and by the Building Research Establishment, where long term studies are continuing. My Department will maintain contact with these research organisations.

Secondary information