Asthma

Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Transport – in the House of Commons at 2:35 pm on 29 November 1993.

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Photo of Mr Steven Norris Mr Steven Norris , Epping Forest 2:35, 29 November 1993

The hon. Lady seems unaware that the Department of Health has an independent expert committee on the medical effects of air pollutants. The committee has looked at this issue and a sub-group is specifically looking at the relationship between traffic and asthma. Had the hon. Lady considered that, she would be aware that, while there is no doubt that asthmatics need to use their inhalors more when nitrogen dioxide levels are high, there is as yet no evidence from studies carried out in this country and America which relates traffic emissions to the cause of asthma or to its onset. It is too early to say what conclusions we can draw; we will have to wait for the working party to report.