asked the Minister for Health the regulations which exist to control the sale or dissemination as weedkillers or insecticides of substances dangerous to health or injurious to human life.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Control of Dangerous Substances.
14.
The sale of weedkillers and insecticides containing certain scheduled poisons is controlled under the Poisons and Pharmacy Acts 1870 to 1908. These controls will be brought up-to-date in the proposed regulations to be made under the Poisons Act, 1961.
The sale and distribution of paraquat are specifically controlled under the Poisons Act, 1961 (Paraquat) Regulations, 1968, which restrict the sale and distribution of the substance to authorise persons and specify certain precautions to be observed as to packaging and labelling.
In addition to the controls under these regulations, the manufacturers of paraquat took additional measures in connection with the sale and distribution of the substance. These are described in detail in my reply to questions on 2nd July, 1970, by the Deputy and by Deputies Moore and Donnellan and to a question by Deputy Moore on 28th October, 1970.
Is the Minister aware that since he answered the questions to which he has referred— indeed within the last month—there has been a further death and the coroner gave as his verdict that it was due to inhaling weedkiller when it was used in a compressed spray?
I am so aware.
Does the Minister not consider that further precautions are necessary?
I am advised by the experts in this matter that the inhalation of this substance in the form of a spray would in the ordinary way affect only persons suffering from asthma. This case was a most exceptional one.
What the coroner said was that it would have greater effect on a person who was suffering from asthma. There was no suggestion that it would not be injurious to others when used in the form of a compressed spray. If weedkiller is being sprayed in a field there is no way of guaranteeing that people suffering from asthma will not come in contact with it. Therefore, is it not necessary that further precautions be taken to safeguard human life in this respect?
The company that sell this product have made ample effort to make clear the regulations that should be observed in its use. The number of deaths that have been recorded has been reduced to practically a negligible figure.
Yet there was one in the recent past.
15.
asked the Minister for Health the number of deaths in the period from 1962 to date directly or indirectly attributable to the use or sale of poisonous weedkillers or pesticides.
Statistics as to causes of deaths are compiled in accordance with an internationally agreed system of classification evolved by the World Health Organisation. Classification under this system does not yield specific information as to deaths arising from the substances mentioned in the Deputy's question.
I propose, however, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to circulate with the Official Report a tabular statement furnished by the Central Statistics Office of deaths from certain types of poisoning by solid and liquid substances for each year from 1962 to 1970. It will be noted that the international statistical classification of diseases and causes of death was revised as from 1968, which makes comparison with previous years difficult.
With regard to the statistics for the years 1968 to 1970 I have asked the Central Statistics Office to provide if possible a breakdown of the figures shown in the tabular statement against the headings E950 and E980, in order to ascertain the number of deaths due to various substances.
Following is the statement:
DEATHS from certain types of poisoning by solid and liquid substances for years 1962-1967 classified according to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases, 7th Revision 1955.
|
Detailed International List Number |
Cause of Death |
1962 |
1963 |
1964 |
1965 |
1966 |
1967 |
|
|
E888 |
Accidental poisoning by other and unspecified solid and liquid substances |
M |
— |
2 |
— |
1 |
— |
2 |
|
F |
1 |
— |
— |
1 |
— |
— |
||
|
E971 |
Suicide and self-inflicted poisoning by other solid and liquid substances |
M |
3 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
2 |
1 |
|
F |
— |
2 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
1 |
DEATHS from certain types of poisoning by solid and liquid substances for years 1968-1970 classified according to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases, 8th Revision 1965.
|
Detailed International List Number |
Cause of Death |
1968 |
1969 |
1970 |
|
|
E865 |
Accidental poisonings by pesticides, fertilisers or plant foods |
M |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
F |
3 |
— |
— |
||
|
E950 |
Suicide and self-inflicted poisoning by solid or liquid substances— classifiable to E850—E869 |
M |
10 |
4 |
9 |
|
F |
5 |
6 |
2 |
||
|
E980 |
Poisoning by solid or liquid substances undetermined whether accidentally or purposely inflicted —classifiable to E850—E869 |
M |
6 |
8 |
18 |
|
F |
5 |
12 |
9 |
16.
asked the Minister for Health the steps taken to ascertain the effect upon public health and mortality of weedkillers, pesticides and antibiotics as used in agriculture.
The Food Advisory Committee have, at my request, examined the implications for the public health of the presence in food of residues of antibiotics, pesticides, insecticides and herbicides and made reports to me on these matters.
The committee's report on weedkiller and pesticide residues in food which I received last month indicates that there is no established evidence of any hazard to health arising out of the presence of such residues in food in Ireland.
Arising out of the committee's report on antibiotics, I have had under consideration, in conjunction with the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, the public health and other implications of the use of therapeutic antibiotics in veterinary practice and animal husbandry. When these and any other necessary consultations have been completed, I shall consider if action should be taken in the matter in the public health interest.
Is the Minister aware that the FAO, in conjunction with the WHO, have pointed out the danger of chemicals being used in food and have emphasised in particular the danger of antibiotics especially when injected into fowl? These bodies have said that these chemicals can constitute a danger to health. Is the Minister reasonably satisfied that they do not constitute a danger to health?
As I have indicated to the Deputy, it would appear that the use of weedkillers and pesticides, as such, does not constitute a health hazard. In regard to the antibiotics, I am in touch with the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries as to what may be done in connection with the possible dangers arising from their use. These investigations will take some time to complete.
Should it be brought to the Minister's attention that a particular antibiotic or weedkiller is regarded as being a danger to health would his Department make representations to the manufacturers concerned to consider the use of some alternative that would not constitute a health hazard?
There are a number of weedkillers and pesticides that are used and which, if used in excessive amounts, constitute a danger. That has been referred to in international publications, but in this country the level of use does not constitute a danger. There are some weedkillers that are almost irreplaceable: there is no effective substitute for them. One of these is paraquat and we have made every effort possible so that any person who is reasonably intelligent could not misuse paraquat. That can be evidenced by the fact that the number of deaths from this preparation has been reduced to practically negligible proportions.
Regarding the representations made in respect of paraquat, was there any mention of asthmatics?
I cannot tell the Deputy that.
Will the Minister let me have the information?
I shall see whether I can let the Deputy know.
Can the Minister say whether he will take all steps open to him to advise farmers and others who are using weedkillers and pesticides to use masks when they are spraying?
We do our best in this regard. Every farmer in the country is circularised by the company selling paraquat with a clear document indicating the care that should be taken. Also the size of the packet was reduced so that farmers are not buying it in common and putting it into empty beer bottles where its identity would not be known. Every step possible has been taken by us in regard to this substance.
17.
asked the Minister for Health if he will consider providing funds to finance a research fellowship to study the effects upon health of weedkillers, sprays and food additives.
Information on research into these matters is fully available from reputable international sources. I do not propose to finance any research in this country.
18.
asked the Minister for Health if hair sprays freely available to the public constitute a danger to health; and, if so, if it is proposed to introduce legislation to control the sale of such products.
I am advised that there is no evidence that the use of hair sprays constitutes any significant danger to the health of the public.
Can the Minister say whether he has seen a report recently in the newspapers to the effect that hair sprays can constitute a danger to those in close proximity to them when they are being used?
I have had a report on this from a consultant in whom I have every confidence. This report is so complex that I do not even understand all of it myself. It indicates that there is no danger from hair sprays. If there is any allegation that there is a risk to workers in women's hairdressing salons where sprays may be used frequently, this would be a matter for the Minister for Labour who has a medical adviser, but he has received no such complaints.
Can the Minister say whether Deputies who dye their hair are a danger to themselves or to the public?
I am not yet responsible for the dyeing of hair by Deputies.
19.
asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied that cleaning fluids freely available to the public do not constitute a danger to health.
I am advised that there is no evidence of a danger to public health arising out of the use of cleaning fluids, provided the warnings and instructions generally displayed on the containers of such substances are followed.
Is the Minister satisfied that there is no danger in the use of those fluids?
I am so satisfied but provided people observe the instructions. They are cleaning fluids which are the only type available and it is indicated clearly on the bottles that one must not stand near to the spray when the fluid is being used for cleaning clothes.
Question No. 20 postponed.