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724560

	registered interest
	date	26/04/2017
	answering body	Department of Health
	answering dept id	17
	answering dept short name	Health
	answering dept sort name	Health
	hansard heading	Microplastics: Health Hazards
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 18 April 2017 to Question 70013, for what reason that Answer does not refer to any plans by his Department to conduct an assessment of the effect of microplastics entering the marine environment on human health.
	tabling member constituency	Romford
	tabling member printed	Andrew Rosindell
	uin	72013
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/05/2017 answer text <p><B>The House of Commons was prorogued before the earliest date of answer for this Question.</B></p> answering member constituency answering member printed question first answered 02/05/2017 10:00:00 answering member 0
	tabling member	1447 label Biography information for Andrew Rosindell

1145867

	registered interest
	date	25/09/2019
	answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
	answering dept id	17
	answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
	answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
	hansard heading	Microplastics: Health Hazards
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what research her Department has commissioned into the effect on human health of ingesting (a) micro- and (b) nano-plastics that have found their way into the food chain.
	tabling member constituency	Dunfermline and West Fife
	tabling member printed	Douglas Chapman
	uin	290824
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/09/2019 answer text <p>The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has been monitoring the scientific evidence concerning the occurrence and effects of microplastics in seafood. On the basis of current information, the FSA considers it is unlikely that the presence of the low levels of microplastic particles that have been reported to occur in certain types of food would cause harm to consumers.</p><p> </p><p>The FSA is currently commissioning a new critical review to look at existing scientific evidence on the types of microorganisms that could potentially colonise nano-plastics and microplastics in the environment, whether this could be a pathway for microbiological contamination of our food and the potential risk to human health. We anticipate this study to start in November/December 2019 and to be completed in early 2021.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment will be starting to consider the potential health effects of microplastics in the diet later this year.</p> answering member constituency Bury St Edmunds answering member printed Jo Churchill question first answered 30/09/2019 17:04:03 answering member 4380 label Biography information for Jo Churchill
	tabling member	4402 label Biography information for Douglas Chapman

1483625

	registered interest
	date	27/06/2022
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Microplastics: Health Hazards
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the implications for his policies of recent research examining the presence of microplastic pollution in the lungs of living people.
	tabling member constituency	Hornsey and Wood Green
	tabling member printed	Catherine West
	uin	25953
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/07/2022 answer text <p>In 2021, the UK Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT) published an overarching statement on potential risks from exposure to microplastics ( <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcot.food.gov.uk%2FM-statementsandpositionpapers%23microplastics&amp;data=05%7C01%7Cpqteam%40defra.gov.uk%7C9bfd0f9c37e347db688508da5e6e1eab%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C0%7C0%7C637926124289337090%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=jDiVnpZInabm6qsgRm4H3GZz5fTf%2FyDZ3SW2Ns4NHDM%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://cot.food.gov.uk/M-statementsandpositionpapers#microplastics</a>). The COT made a number of proposals for research priorities to aid risk assessment of microplastics, and concluded that &quot;based on the available data, it is not yet possible to perform a complete assessment for the potential risks from exposure to micro and nanoplastics via the oral and inhalation routes&quot;.</p><p>Subsequently, COT has published a sub-statement focusing on the oral route and a sub-statement on the inhalation route is in preparation.</p><p>The Government is taking decisive action to fight plastic waste including minimum charges on single-use items; a Deposit Return Scheme for drinks containers; and ensuring producers cover the costs of collecting and managing plastic packaging waste.</p><p>As set out in the recently published <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fpublications%2Fuk-reach-rationale-for-priorities-in-2022-to-2023%2Frationale-for-prioritising-substances-in-the-uk-reach-work-programme-2022-to-2023&amp;data=05%7C01%7Cpqteam%40defra.gov.uk%7C9bfd0f9c37e347db688508da5e6e1eab%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C0%7C0%7C637926124289337090%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=sord0kCjKhNRew%2FXS%2BUXAzYPKb6h0ouePY7DYUqU6wE%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">2022-2023 UK REACH Work Programme</a>, we are reviewing intentionally added microplastics and the risks they pose to human health and the environment. The results will help to inform the Government's approach to managing any risks whether through UK REACH or other routes.</p> answering member constituency Bury St Edmunds answering member printed Jo Churchill question first answered 05/07/2022 10:13:16 answering member 4380 label Biography information for Jo Churchill
	tabling member	4523 label Biography information for Catherine West

1400158

	registered interest
	date	05/01/2022
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Microplastics: Health Hazards
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to investigate the human health impacts of microplastics in (1) food, and (2) the environment.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
	uin	HL5085
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/01/2022 answer text <p>Defra and the Environment Agency are working with academia, National Highways, and the UK water industry to improve our understanding of the scale of the microplastic pollution problem and to identify the key sources within the natural environment.</p><p> </p><p>The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has been monitoring the scientific literature concerning the occurrence and effects of microplastics in food. On the basis of current evidence, the FSA considers it is unlikely that the presence of microplastic particles at the levels that have been reported to occur in certain types of food, especially seafood, would cause harm to consumers.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is funding research to examine wider sources of microplastics, which will enable us to monitor and assess emerging information concerning microplastics in food and the environment. Our proposed bans on numerous commonly littered plastic items will further reduce the sources of microplastics that damage our environment.</p> answering member printed Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park question first answered 20/01/2022 11:53:58 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
	tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

710579

	registered interest
	date	13/03/2017
	answering body	Department of Health
	answering dept id	17
	answering dept short name	Health
	answering dept sort name	Health
	hansard heading	Microplastics: Health Hazards
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 8 March 2017 to Question 67201, if his Department will make an assessment of the implications of micropastics entering the marine environment for human health.
	tabling member constituency	Romford
	tabling member printed	Andrew Rosindell
	uin	67657
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/03/2017 answer text <p>The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs monitors levels of marine litter, including microplastics, both in the sea and along our coastlines to improve understanding of the levels and impacts of marine litter.</p><p>Public Health England are committed to keeping emerging evidence under review but are not currently planning to conduct an assessment of the implications of microplastics entering the marine environment for human health.</p> answering member constituency Oxford West and Abingdon answering member printed Nicola Blackwood question first answered 16/03/2017 15:45:28 answering member 4019 label Biography information for Baroness Blackwood of North Oxford
	tabling member	1447 label Biography information for Andrew Rosindell

715705

	registered interest
	date	30/03/2017
	answering body	Department of Health
	answering dept id	17
	answering dept short name	Health
	answering dept sort name	Health
	hansard heading	Microplastics: Health Hazards
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 15 March 2017 to Question 67657, for what reasons his Department is not planning to conduct an assessment of the implications of microplastics entering the marine environment on human health.
	tabling member constituency	Romford
	tabling member printed	Andrew Rosindell
	uin	70013
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/04/2017 answer text <p>The United Kingdom Government, from an environmental perspective, is conducting research on the capacity for microplastics to cause harm in the marine environment and implications for the food chain. No specific research in respect of the impact of microplastics on human health is currently being undertaken by Public Health England.</p> answering member constituency Oxford West and Abingdon answering member printed Nicola Blackwood question first answered 18/04/2017 13:42:12 answering member 4019 label Biography information for Baroness Blackwood of North Oxford
	tabling member	1447 label Biography information for Andrew Rosindell

1229701

	registered interest
	date	28/08/2020
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Microplastics: Health Hazards
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he has taken to ensure that (a) micro- and (b) nano-plastics used in products, such as (i) food packaging and (ii) mobile phones, are not harmful to human health.
	tabling member constituency	Linlithgow and East Falkirk
	tabling member printed	Martyn Day
	uin	82162
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/09/2020 answer text <p>The Government’s priority is preventing plastic from entering the environment in the first place, be that the freshwater, marine or terrestrial environment. The Resources and Waste Strategy sets out our plans to eliminate all avoidable plastic waste. This encompasses all types of plastic, including microplastics, and we are already taking action. We have banned plastic microbeads in rinse-off personal care products and we will continue to invest in water purification.</p><p> </p><p>Defra has not made an estimate of the amount of micro- and nano-plastics in food packaging in the UK. It is difficult to do so, as this amount will vary based on the use and subsequent treatment of the plastic. According to the latest industry data from the Waste and Resources Action Programme, 2.36Mt of plastic packaging was placed on the market in 2017, of which 1.53Mt came from the consumer sector.</p><p> </p><p>Legislation on plastics in contact with food or drink requires that they are produced under the provisions for Good Manufacturing Practice, so that any adverse interactions with food are minimised. This legislation is regularly updated to ensure the plastics that are authorised for such use are safe.</p><p> </p><p>The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has been monitoring the scientific literature concerning the occurrence and effects of microplastics in food. On the basis of current evidence, the FSA considers it is unlikely that the presence of microplastic particles that have been reported to occur in certain types of food would cause harm to consumers.</p><p> </p><p>The FSA will continue to monitor and assess emerging information concerning microplastics in food, including further consideration of this issue by the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment later this year.</p><p> </p><p>We support Operation Clean Sweep, an international initiative coordinated in the UK by the British Plastics Federation which aims to reduce plastic pellet loss in the environment. In 2019, the British Irish Council of Ministers recognised the need to address this source of microplastics and committed to learn from a supply-chain approach in Scotland.</p><p> </p><p>Global solutions are needed to address one of the most pressing environmental issues of our time, which is why the UK has stepped up to this challenge and is leading the way to end the scourge of plastic pollution that enters our waterways, rivers and, ultimately, our ocean. The UK has committed to the G7 Ocean Plastics Charter, which aims to move towards a more resource-efficient and sustainable approach to the management of plastics. Having left the EU, the UK now has the opportunity to reprioritise and refresh our environmental policy and can now focus on implementing measures which work best for the UK.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow grouped question UIN 82163 82164 82165 question first answered 08/09/2020 16:10:00 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
	tabling member	4488 label Biography information for Martyn Day

1656155

	registered interest
	date	01/09/2023
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Microplastics: Health Hazards
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of microplastics in the air within (a) houses, (b) large cities, (c) hospitals and (d) health care environments.
	tabling member constituency	Kingston upon Hull North
	tabling member printed	Dame Diana Johnson
	uin	195852
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/09/2023 answer text <p>The Environment Agency undertakes a range of ambient air quality monitoring on behalf of Defra including particulate matter monitoring. Particulate matter is a complex pollutant that could include some proportion of microplastics but this is not routinely assessed. Near real time data on particulate matter levels, as well as other pollutants, are made available on <a href="https://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/" target="_blank">UK Air website</a>.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 12/09/2023 15:40:55 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
	tabling member	1533 label Biography information for Dame Diana Johnson

1656156

	registered interest
	date	01/09/2023
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Microplastics: Health Hazards
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate she has made of the prominence of microplastic contaminants in human tissue samples.
	tabling member constituency	Kingston upon Hull North
	tabling member printed	Dame Diana Johnson
	uin	195853
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/09/2023 answer text <p>The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is aware of a several published research papers that report finding microplastic particles in human tissues such as a lung and diseased liver. These studies are small but do indicate the potential of small numbers of microplastic particles to enter some human tissues. UKHSA is not directly involved with this work and is not currently assessing the prevalence of microplastic particles in human tissues, but does have some research work ongoing with Imperial College London to look at the factors that contribute to the uptake of microplastic particles into tissues.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 12/09/2023 15:39:40 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
	tabling member	1533 label Biography information for Dame Diana Johnson

1656159

	registered interest
	date	01/09/2023
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Microplastics: Health Hazards
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of microplastic contaminants on public health.
	tabling member constituency	Kingston upon Hull North
	tabling member printed	Dame Diana Johnson
	uin	195856
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/09/2023 answer text <p>The potential impact of microplastic materials on human health has been assessed in 2021 by the UK Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT) who published an overarching statement on potential risks from exposure to <a href="https://cot.food.gov.uk/M-statementsandpositionpapers#microplastics" target="_blank">microplastics</a>.</p><p> </p><p>The COT concluded that it is not yet possible to perform a complete assessment for the potential risks to human health from exposure to micro and nanoplastics via the oral and inhalation routes&quot;. The COT made a number of recommendations for further research including understanding the risk of exposure from the oral and inhalational routes. UKHSA has work ongoing in this area in small projects in collaboration with Imperial College. These projects, while limited, are assisting the understanding of the potential risks from exposure to micro and nano plastics from inhalational and oral exposure.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 12/09/2023 15:49:11 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
	tabling member	1533 label Biography information for Dame Diana Johnson