asked the Minister for the Environment if he will arrange immediately to have his Department carry out atmospheric monitoring of lead pollution around the centre of Cork City, as Cork Corporation have neither the financial nor the technical resources to carry out such a survey.
Written Answers. - Lead Pollution.
373.
This is not a matter which my Department can undertake directly, though they can, and will, provide whatever technical advice may be needed. The cost to the local authority of setting up a lead monitoring station would not be very heavy.
374.
asked the Minister for the Environment whether, in view of the clear need to increase our knowledge of the effects of lead on our environment and particularly its possible health effects, he will initiate an immediate tightening up of the present regulations on all forms of lead pollution.
My Department are keeping in touch with developments regarding those aspects of the lead pollution problem which they are concerned with, and there is appropriate consultation with other Departments. Ireland is supporting work in the EEC which is aimed at the adoption of a quality standard for lead in air but the member states have been unable to agree in the matter. Monitoring of lead in air which is being carried out in Dublin suggests that the standard being considered for adoption in the EEC is being observed here.
The situation in regard to lead from petrol sources is as indicated in my reply to Question No. 23 on 21 October 1981. It is a matter for the local authority concerned to consider any problem of lead pollution arising from particular fixed sources using the control powers available to them under the Planning Acts and the Control of Atmospheric Pollution Regulations.