1-4 of 4 results for subject:Formaldehyde
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Primary member
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Smith, Llew
Type
House
Session
Year
Department
Member
Primary member
Smith, Llew (4)
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Answering member
Legislative stage
Legislation
Subject
Publisher
Statement on what assessment his Department has made of the risk to human health from the inhalation of formaldehyde fumes.
Statement on what assessment his Department has made of the risk to human health from the inhalation of formaldehyde fumes.
Asked by
Llew Smith
(Labour)
Answered by
Paul Beresford
(Conservative)
Answering body
Department of the Environment
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
For answer on
18 December 1996
Answered on
18 December 1996
Mr. Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of the risk to human health from the
inhalation of formaldehyde fumes. [9564]
Sir Paul Beresford: I have been asked to reply.
The Health and Safety Executive on behalf of the Health and Safety Commission reviewed the health effects and occupational exposure
of formaldehyde in 1984. HSC'S advisory committee on toxic substances agreed that the inhalation of formaldehyde fumes causes severe
irritation of the eyes and upper respiratory tract. However, there was no evidence that the inhalation of formaldehyde fumes causes
occupational asthma and the evidence for causing nasal tumours was considered equivocal.
The Department commissioned the Medical Research Council institute for environment and health to review the available data on
exposure to formaldehyde in typical UK homes and assess the likely impacts on the health of occupants. This assessment was published
by the institute in May 1996, the conclusions on health effects of formaldehyde were:
1. The irritant effects reported in some of the US studies from the 1980's related to mobile homes and relatively high levels of
formaldehyde exposure, and are not relevant to the current situation in the UK.
2. Chamber studies with normal adults or those with pre-existing asthma have not demonstrated any dysfunction to mean formaldehyde
levels currently found in UK homes by the Building Research Establishment study (0.020-0.025 mg/m{3}, 0.017-0.021 ppm) or even at
levels several times higher.
3. Epidemiological studies have not demonstrated any increase in respiratory symptoms or lung function at estimated current levels
of formaldehyde in UK homes. However, there is a suggestion of an increase in asthma and chronic bronchitis among children living in
homes with formaldehyde levels above 0.07 mg/m{3} (0.06 ppm).
4. There is no evidence to suggest that current domestic exposures to formaldehyde in the UK pose a carcinogenic risk.
Subjects
Housing; Health hazards; Research; Formaldehyde
Date
18 December 1996
Reference
9564; 287 c709W
House
House of Commons
What regulations are currently in force in respect of the protection of human health and the environment from formaldehyde fumes.
What regulations are currently in force in respect of the protection of human health and the environment from formaldehyde fumes.
Asked by
Llew Smith
(Labour)
Answered by
James Clappison
(Conservative)
Answering body
Department of the Environment
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
For answer on
18 December 1996
Answered on
18 December 1996
Mr. Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what regulations are currently in force in respect of the
protection of human health and the environment from formaldehyde fumes. [9565]
Mr. Clappison: The following legislation relevant to the protection of human health and the environment from formaldehyde is in
force.
the Environmental Protection Act 1990 with respect to emissions from those industrial processes with the greatest potential for
pollution, the range of pollutants controlled includes formaldehyde where appropriate;
the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1994; and
the Building Regulations 1991, part D (toxic substances), with respect to the use of urea formaldehyde foam insulation in cavity
walls.
Subjects
Environment protection; Health and safety; Formaldehyde
Date
18 December 1996
Reference
9565; 287 c607-8W
House
House of Commons
What research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the carcinogenic properties of formaldehyde.
What research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the carcinogenic properties of formaldehyde.
Asked by
Llew Smith
(Labour)
Answered by
Paul Beresford
(Conservative)
Answering body
Department of the Environment
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
For answer on
18 December 1996
Answered on
18 December 1996
Mr. Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the
carcinogenic properties of formaldehyde. [9567]
Sir Paul Beresford: I have been asked to reply.
The Health and Safety Executive on behalf of the Health and Safety Commission reviewed the health effects and occupational exposure
of formaldehyde for the purpose of setting an occupational exposure limit in 1984.
In 1993, a study carried out for HSE by the Medical Research Council toxicology unit concluded that formaldehyde is not a
carcinogen.
There are no on-going research projects into the carcinogenicity of formaldehyde.
Subjects
Cancer; Hazards; Research; Formaldehyde
Date
18 December 1996
Reference
9567; 287 c709W
House
House of Commons
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.
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.
Asked by
Llew Smith
(Labour)
Answered by
James Clappison
(Conservative)
Answering body
Department of the Environment
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
For answer on
18 December 1996
Answered on
18 December 1996
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.
Subjects
Air pollution; Formaldehyde
Date
18 December 1996
Reference
9566; 287 c710W;287 c709-10W
House
House of Commons