Written question asked by Lord Tyler (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 12 October 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 20 October 2004. It was answered by Charlotte Atkins (Labour) on Wednesday, 20 October 2004 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Dept for Transport

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will commission a study by the Civil Aviation Authority and the Health and Safety Executive into the relevance of Organophosphorus Ester-Induced Chronic Neurotoxicity induced by low-level inhalation of organophosphates present in lubricating oils and hydraulic fluids in aircraft; pursuant to the Answer of 27th April, Official Report, column 888W, on aviation, whether he has received a report from the Aviation Health Unit on the presence of organophosphate fumes in aircraft cabins and their effect on passengers and crews. - Inc ref to 420 c888W, 24 April 2004.

Answer: Mr. Tyler: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will commission a study by the Civil Aviation Authority and the Health and Safety Executive into the prevalence of Organophosphorus Ester-Induced Chronic Neurotoxicity induced by low-level inhalation of organophosphates present in lubricating oils and hydraulic fluids in aircraft; [191552] (2) pursuant to the answer of 27 April 2004, Official Report, column 888W, on aviation, whether he has received a report from the Aviation Health Unit on the presence of organophosphate fumes in aircraft cabins and their effect on passengers and crews. [191768] Charlotte Atkins: As part of its research commissioning process, the Aviation Health Working Group has invited the British Airline Pilots Association to give a presentation at its meeting on 27 October 2004. This will cover concerns on cabin air quality, including chronic neurotoxicity related to organophosphates. On the basis of this presentation, and with the advice of the Aviation Health Unit, the group will decide whether to commission further research into this issue.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 425 c683W; 191552;191768
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Aviation Air pollution Aircraft Research Organophosphates Oils Air conditioning Aviation Health Unit
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk