Written question asked by Jim Cunningham (Labour) on Monday, 8 January 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 16 January 2001. It was answered by Keith Hill (Labour) on Tuesday, 16 January 2001 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, what the findings of recent ambient air quality surveys have been concerning the level of airborne mercury particles near crematoria; and how, and at what level, such pollutants may become a danger to health. - Inc figures. (Holding answer 15 January 2001).

Answer: Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the findings of recent ambient air quality surveys have been concerning the level of airborne mercury particles near crematoriums; and how, and at what level, such pollutants may become a danger to health. [144727] Mr. Hill: [holding answer 15 January 2001]: My Department has carried out a one year study measuring mercury particle and vapour concentrations near a crematorium site at Sutton Coldfield. That study ended in December 2000. Results so far indicate that annual mean concentrations of mercury particles are likely to be less 0.1ng/m{3} (nano-grams per cubic metre), and often below the limit of detection, while concentrations of mercury vapour are around 3.0ng/m{3}. Mercury is a toxic substance. The National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory estimate is that, while total national mercury emissions have reduced from 47 tonnes in 1970 to 12.6 tonnes in 1997, crematoriums now account for 11 per cent. of total emissions. It has not been established that there is a level at which there is no toxicological effect.

Secondary information