Written question asked by Lord Tyler (Liberal Democrat), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath (Labour) on Thursday, 15 March 2007.

Aviation: Engine Lubricants

Question: asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether, in light of Lord Rooker's comments on 26 October 2006 (HL Deb, cols. 1283–34), they have commissioned research, independent of airlines and aircraft, engine and lubricant manufacturers, into the possible health risks from the use of organophosphates in aircraft engine lubricants.

Answer: No research has been commissioned. The Department for Transport has asked the department to undertake an independent scientific review of data submitted by the British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA). BALPA submitted data relating to organophosphates, the cabin air environment, ill-health in aircraft crews and the possible relationship to smoke/fume events in aircraft. The discussions are still ongoing by the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT). The next meeting of the COT is on 20 March 2007. The relevant papers can be found on its website at: www.advisorybodies.doh.gov.uk/cotnonfood/index.htm and www.food.gov.uk/science/ouradvisors/toxicity/

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 2512; 690 c145-6WA
Session: 2006-07
Related items: Organophosphates
Thursday, 26 October 2006
Oral answers to questions
House of Lords; Organophosphates
Thursday, 26 October 2006
Oral questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Air pollution Aircraft Contamination Engines Health hazards Oil Research Organophosphates Air conditioning
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk