Vol. 490 No. 4
104 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children his view on the latest research which shows a correlation between increasing levels of industrialisation and environmental contamination with increasing levels of breast cancer. [10363/98]
107 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children his view on whether 90 per cent of cancers are caused by environmental factors as recent studies have shown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10366/98]
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 104 and 107 together.
Details of the particular research and studies referred to by the Deputy are not given. However from a public health viewpoint I am aware of the importance of a clean environment and that environmental factors can be a contributory factor in ill health.
A National Cancer Strategy was launched in 1996 and one of its objectives is to take all measures possible to reduce the incidence of cancer. The National Cancer Registry monitors the incidence and types of cancer occurring in the community and publishes detailed national data.
Collection and analysis of cancer data is vital for epidemiological and research purposes and in trying to identify possible environmental factors that may contribute to causing cancer. The National Cancer Registry has close working links with the European Network of Cancer Registries and with the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry. There is some scope for development of cross-Border epidemiological studies.
Furthermore, my Department in conjunction with other Departments and agencies is formulating a national environmental health action plan which will provide a strategic overview of environmental health.
105 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that breast cancer rates dropped immediately when the Israeli authorities banned three pesticides known to accumulate in breast cancer tissue in 1978; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10364/98]
As details of the particular pesticides referred to by the Deputy are not given it is not possible to comment specifically on the matter raised.
I am advised that the marketing and use of certain pesticides are prohibited because of the risks to human health and the environment associated with their use. The Department of Agriculture and Food through its pesticide control service implement controls here under EU directives. The controls in place are designed to ensure that consumers are not exposed to harmful residues.
