Vol. 574 No. 2
301 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children if decisions were made not to study the possible health effects of concentrated milk samples, for example, from those farms (details supplied); his views on the possible health implications of the consumption of produce from the farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26885/03]
The Deputy will be aware that a multi-agency investigation co-ordinated by the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, was carried out into health problems at Askeaton at the request, in 1995, of the Minister of State at the then Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, DoAFRD. The investigation involved the veterinary laboratory services of the DoAFRD (animal health), Teagasc (soils, herbage and related aspects), the EPA (environmental quality aspects), and the Mid-Western Health Board (human health).
An investigation of the aluminium and fluoride levels in milk was carried out under the environmental quality aspects. While my Department had no direct involvement in these aspects, the investigation concluded that all available data indicated that the levels of potential pollutants in the Askeaton area in the period of the investigation were below those likely to cause harm to the environment generally, to animals, or to humans.
The human health studies carried out included a literature review of the effects of common atmospheric pollutants, births and congenital abnormalities, sex ratio, twin rates, survey of perceived health problems in general practitioner practices in the area, health status of persons, acute health effects (diary study), cancer incidence, mortality, adolescent health, child absenteeism, horticultural produce, abnormal prescribing patterns and the hospital in-patient inquiry scheme. The results of these studies did not support a link to any form of environmental pollution nor did they find a significant degree of excessive ill health in the Askeaton area.
