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Mr. Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of
State for Transport (1) what assessment he has made of the impact on human
health of exposure to pyrolised synthetic jet engine oils; and in what year the
Department first received a representation on this matter; [70761]
(2) what epidemiological surveys have been
carried out on the long-term impact of repeated exposure of pilots to
chemicals, with particular reference to potential neuropsychological impacts;
[70764]
(3) what research he has (a)
commissioned and (b) evaluated on the effects on health of exposure on
commercial aircraft to pyrolised synthetic jet engine oils (i) dermally and
(ii) via inhalation. [70765]
Gillian Merron: The Department has
commissioned the independent Committee on Toxicity (COT) to conduct a comprehensive
evidence review of any such health risks in cabin air. The formal COT meeting
will be held in public later this year. The Departmentwill be guided by the COT
conclusions and recommendations.
It is not possible to state the exact year in
which the Department first received representations on this matter, although
there is a record of a parliamentary question on 11 December 2001 from Paul
Tyler MP, and the issue was covered in the House of Lords Select Committee on
Science and Technology into the issue of Air Travel and Health which reported
in November 2000. In its evidence to that Committee BALPA said it had raised
concerns with the then Department for the Environment, Transport and the
Regions.