Written question asked by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 26 November 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 6 December 2004. It was answered by Melanie Johnson (Labour) on Monday, 6 December 2004 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what evidence he has gathered to support a connection between levels of ozone in the atmosphere and premature deaths; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what evidence he has gathered to support a connection between levels of ozone in the atmosphere and premature deaths; and if he will make a statement. [200689] Miss Melanie Johnson: The Department's Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants (COMEAP)1 summarised the evidence on the connection between levels of ozone in the atmosphere and premature deaths in 1998. It was concluded that an association existed and was reasonably consistent across Europe and the United States. Further research has been published since that time, including, very recently, two large studies combining results from groups of European cities and groups of US cities. An updated review of the health effects of ozone, under preparation by COMEAP, will address this new evidence and will be published next year. 1 Department of Health Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants Quantification of the Effects of Air Pollutants in the United Kingdom--The Stationery Office London 1998. The Department has also commissioned research in the United Kingdom on this issue. Details are included in the list of Department's funded air pollution research projects at the website address given below and a copy has been placed in the Library2. 2www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/HealthAnd SocialCareTopics/AirPollution/fs/en.

Secondary information