30 January 2007 Column WA30

Aviation: Health Risks

The Countess of Mar asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have identified any risk to the health of the travelling public from exposure to traces of tricresyl phosphate or its isomers, known to be found on the walls of United Kingdom jet aircraft; and what scientific studies have been conducted to support this conclusion. [HL1390]

Lord Bassam of Brighton: A major review of evidence, presented by the British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) and others, is currently under way by the independent Committee on Toxicity (CoT). Links to the discussion papers and notes of the CoT meetings held on 11 July and 5 December 2006 are below. www.advisorybodies.doh.gov.uk/cotnonfood/index.htm and www.food.gov.uk/science/ouradvisors/toxicity/cotmeets/cot2006/cotmetdec06/.