Vol. 550 No. 1
113 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on a recently published study by a Swedish dermatologist and a British laboratory scientist that two of the eight euro coins which came into circulation in January 2002 release so much nickel that people allergic to the metal could develop hand eczema. [7353/02]
Responsibility for the manufacture and circulation of Irish coins rests with the Central Bank of Ireland. However, the Central Bank has informed me that as a result of the introduction of the euro, there is now far less nickel in coins in circulation than was the case before the euro entered circulation. Nickel is used in only two of the euro coins – the €1 and €2 coins. By contrast, nickel was used in the 5p, 10p, 20p and £1 coins of Irish currency. This pattern is replicated throughout the euro area. As a result, 92% of euro coins – in terms of the number of coins in circulation – are nickel-free as opposed to 25% of the national coins that were in circulation.
The nickel used in the €1 and €2 coins is essentially contained inside the alloy and not on the surface of the coin, thus limiting skin contact. The Central Bank has also informed me that since the introduction of euro coins into circulation, they have received no reports of nickel allergy problems arising from the coins.
