Asked by: Baroness Jones of Whitchurch (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking, if any, to analyse the risk of radon gas build-up in homes arising from the installation of insulation and other retrofit products approved by Government.
Answered by Lord Markham - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Indoor radon concentration is a complex combination of factors, including underlying geology, building structure and settlement, usage, occupancy, indoor versus outdoor air temperature, ventilation, air pressure, wind speed and outdoor radon concentration. Radon concentration cannot be predicted; only the probability that a property in a particular location will have a radon level above the ‘Action Level’ threshold.
In 2019, the former Public Health England co-authored a paper through the Complex Urban Systems for Sustainability and Health project, which analyses the effect of energy efficiency measures on radon levels in homes. This analysis suggested that energy efficiency measures in homes should be reviewed to account for the potential for increased radon exposure as a result of air tightening and especially in high radon areas. A copy of the analysis is attached.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is continuing research on radon levels, including indoor air quality. On 3 November 2022, the UKHSA held an annual forum for stakeholders during Radon Awareness week, including discussions on the effect of energy efficiency and sustainability on indoor radon concentrations.
Asked by: Baroness Jones of Whitchurch (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Markham on 13 October (HL2225), on how many occasions the Food Standards Agency was informed of sewage spills in (1) rivers, or (2) inshore waters, in each of the last three years.
Answered by Lord Markham - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The information requested is shown in the following table.
| Incidents in rivers | Incidents in inshore waters |
2022 | 1 | 1 |
2021 | 2 | 2 |
2020 | 1 | 4 |
Asked by: Baroness Jones of Whitchurch (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Markham on 13 October (HL2225), which organisation is responsible for informing (1) commercial fishers, and (2) recreational anglers, about the food safety risks of fish caught in water polluted by sewage outflows.
Answered by Lord Markham - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Where a local authority is aware of sewage pollution events which occur in its area, it will take action and inform interested parties of potential food safety risks, as needed. The local authority will inform the Food Standards Agency (FSA) if it determines the event presents a serious or widespread risk to public health. In such cases, the FSA will work with the local authority to assess the risks and provide risk management advice and risk assessment where necessary.
Asked by: Baroness Jones of Whitchurch (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps, if any, the Food Standards Agency are taking to ensure there is no public health risk arising from eating fish caught in UK waters which have been contaminated by sewerage outflows.
Answered by Lord Markham - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
When the Food Standards Agency is notified of a potential food incident, such as sewage spills, which may lead to a food safety risk, it works with local authorities to take appropriate action to protect public health.
Fish and fishery products sold for consumption in the United Kingdom must meet the requirements of food hygiene legislation. Local authorities are responsible for enforcement and carry out official controls, such as inspection and taking samples for laboratory testing, to verify that food business operators comply with the legislation.
Food businesses are responsible for ensuring the food sold is safe to eat and that fishery products comply with the relevant health standards. There is currently no evidence that fish caught in UK waters are unsafe to eat.
Asked by: Baroness Jones of Whitchurch (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many incidents of adverse health impacts from exposure to pesticides have been reported to the National Poisons Information Service by (1) trained operatives, and (2) members of the public, in each of the last three years.
Answered by Lord Bethell
The National Poisons Information Service (NPIS) provides advice to health professionals across the United Kingdom on the management of poisoned patients. Since 2004, the NPIS has conducted a pesticide surveillance study, collecting data on all pesticide exposures for which they are notified in the UK. NPIS annual reports describe the incidence and character of pesticide exposures in the UK that result in contact with health professionals. Enquiries are not reported directly by members of the public or trained operatives.
During the financial year 2019/2020 the NPIS were notified of 282 exposures where adverse health effects were reported, 272 reported minor symptoms and 10 reported moderate or severe symptoms.
In 2018/2019, 311 exposures reported adverse health effects, 303 of these reported minor symptoms, seven moderate or severe symptoms and the NPIS was notified of one fatality.
During 2017/2018, 320 exposures reported adverse health effects, 301 reported minor symptoms, 16 reported moderate or severe and there were three fatalities.
Asked by: Baroness Jones of Whitchurch (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the nutritional standards for the food parcels that they are delivering to those in priority health categories; and what oversight is in place to ensure that the standards are maintained.
Answered by Lord Bethell
The food parcels delivered to those at highest risk from COVID-19 contain a basic selection of food and other essential items. They are a standardised package designed to be suitable for the majority of people and deliver the nutritional requirements for one person for one week, as reviewed by nutritionists and key industry groups.
Substitutions of various items can be made to provide variety from one week to the next. Those receiving the boxes are advised, via a letter in the box, to contact their local authority if they have any particular dietary requirements, including cultural and religious needs that are not met through the contents of the box.
Asked by: Baroness Jones of Whitchurch (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many additional food inspectors will be put in place to ensure food imports from the EU are checked at transit ports in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
Answered by Baroness Manzoor
In the event of a ‘no deal’ European Union exit, there will be no additional controls on food and feed originating from the EU. However, third country high-risk food and feed consignments transiting the EU destined for the United Kingdom will be subject to controls and will need to enter the UK at ports with the required facilities to undertake those controls. Following detailed analysis to determine the possible number of such transits, there is sufficient existing capacity at UK ports with those facilities to undertake all relevant import controls.
Asked by: Baroness Jones of Whitchurch (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether scenario planning in relation to Brexit has included the option of suspending food regulations and inspections should delays occur at UK borders after Brexit.
Answered by Lord O'Shaughnessy
Leaving the European Union does not change the Food Standards Agency’s (FSA) top priority which is to ensure that United Kingdom food remains safe and what it says it is. Effective planning will ensure that from the day the UK leaves the EU, the necessary resources will be in place to maintain protection for UK consumers from food risks.
The FSA is committed to having in place a robust and effective regulatory regime which will mean business can continue to run as normal. If any rules change after the UK leaves the EU, the FSA will apply its usual rigorous risk assessment to those changes and ensure public safety remains at the heart of everything it does.
The FSA will shortly be publishing its technical notice on imported food which will contain further information on the Government’s proposals for managing the risk from imported food in the event of a no-deal outcome.
Asked by: Baroness Jones of Whitchurch (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their estimate of the staffing requirements and costs of maintaining safety inspections of EU imported food products at UK borders once the UK has left the EU.
Answered by Lord O'Shaughnessy
Preparing for European Union exit is a key priority for the Food Standards Agency. Their planning will ensure that, from the day the United Kingdom leaves the EU, it will have the necessary resources to maintain protection for UK consumers from food risks.
The Food Standards Agency will shortly be publishing its technical notice on imported food which will contain further information on the Government’s proposals for managing the risk from imported food in the event of a no-deal outcome.
Asked by: Baroness Jones of Whitchurch (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government in the event of a no-deal outcome to the Brexit discussions whether they intend to inspect each container of food imported from the EU to ensure that food safety standards are upheld.
Answered by Lord O'Shaughnessy
From day one, the United Kingdom is committed to having in place a robust and effective regulatory regime which will mean business can continue to run as normal. Risk-assessment and oversight of food safety controls will be essential to ensure that food remains safe, whether imported or produced in the UK. The Food Standards Agency will shortly be publishing its technical notice on imported food which will contain further information on the Government’s proposals for managing the risk from imported food in the event of a no-deal outcome.