Sea King Helicopters: Exhaust Emissions — Written Question

Question

Luke Pollard

Labour (Co-op) — Plymouth Sutton and Devonport

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 21 April 2023 to Question 177951 on Sea King Helicopters: Exhaust Emissions, whether the literature on benzene exposure in general and multiple myeloma relates to the benzene contained in Sea King helicopter fumes.

Answer

Dr Andrew Murrison

The Institute for Naval Medicine investigated potential cancer risks from benzene exposure from Sea King exhaust fumes in 2022. The investigation used literature from exposure to benzene in industrial settings, as there was a lack of specific study data relating to exposure to benzene in Sea King exhaust fumes.

Exposure in industrial settings were at a higher concentration and for longer exposure periods than might have been experienced on the Sea King. Therefore, it is more likely that any link between exposure to benzene and multiple myeloma would emerge from those epidemiological studies.

As I have stated previously, I have asked for the opinion of the Independent Medical Advisory Group and once received I will provide the hon. Member with an update.