❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses the Department of Health's recognition of multiple chemical sensitivity, the consideration of cumulative and synergistic effects in chemical emission regulations, and the applicability of these regulations to workplaces and mine sites. The response indicates limited recognition and application.
AnsweredQoN 934Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
HEALTH, MULTIPLE CHEMICAL SENSITIVITY
(1) Does the Department of Health recognise multiple chemical sensitivity as an illness? (2) Do health regulations which describe the safe levels of chemical emissions take into account the - (a) cumulative impacts over time; (b) the combined effect of more than one chemical; and (c) the synergistic effect of multiple chemicals? (3) Do Department of Health regulations apply to workplaces and mine sites? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH
(1) Does the Department of Health recognise multiple chemical sensitivity as an illness? (2) Do health regulations which describe the safe levels of chemical emissions take into account the - (a) cumulative impacts over time; (b) the combined effect of more than one chemical; and (c) the synergistic effect of multiple chemicals? (3) Do Department of Health regulations apply to workplaces and mine sites? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Department of Health is aware of the controversy associated with multiple chemical sensitivity. This entity is not included in the international classification of diseases. However, the Department of Health recognises that some people may become sensitised to chemicals. (2) In determining safe levels of chemical emissions, the Department of Health bases its health advice on national and international guidelines for chemicals in the air. These guidelines are set for individual chemicals and do not address the accumulative, combined, synergistic effect of multiple chemicals. (3) No.
(2) Do health regulations which describe the safe levels of chemical emissions take into account the - (a) cumulative impacts over time; (b) the combined effect of more than one chemical; and (c) the synergistic effect of multiple chemicals? (3) Do Department of Health regulations apply to workplaces and mine sites? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Department of Health is aware of the controversy associated with multiple chemical sensitivity. This entity is not included in the international classification of diseases. However, the Department of Health recognises that some people may become sensitised to chemicals. (2) In determining safe levels of chemical emissions, the Department of Health bases its health advice on national and international guidelines for chemicals in the air. These guidelines are set for individual chemicals and do not address the accumulative, combined, synergistic effect of multiple chemicals. (3) No.
(b) the combined effect of more than one chemical; and (c) the synergistic effect of multiple chemicals?
(c) the synergistic effect of multiple chemicals?
Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Department of Health is aware of the controversy associated with multiple chemical sensitivity. This entity is not included in the international classification of diseases. However, the Department of Health recognises that some people may become sensitised to chemicals. (2) In determining safe levels of chemical emissions, the Department of Health bases its health advice on national and international guidelines for chemicals in the air. These guidelines are set for individual chemicals and do not address the accumulative, combined, synergistic effect of multiple chemicals. (3) No.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Department of Health is aware of the controversy associated with multiple chemical sensitivity. This entity is not included in the international classification of diseases. However, the Department of Health recognises that some people may become sensitised to chemicals. (2) In determining safe levels of chemical emissions, the Department of Health bases its health advice on national and international guidelines for chemicals in the air. These guidelines are set for individual chemicals and do not address the accumulative, combined, synergistic effect of multiple chemicals. (3) No.
(1) The Department of Health is aware of the controversy associated with multiple chemical sensitivity. This entity is not included in the international classification of diseases. However, the Department of Health recognises that some people may become sensitised to chemicals. (2) In determining safe levels of chemical emissions, the Department of Health bases its health advice on national and international guidelines for chemicals in the air. These guidelines are set for individual chemicals and do not address the accumulative, combined, synergistic effect of multiple chemicals. (3) No.
(2) In determining safe levels of chemical emissions, the Department of Health bases its health advice on national and international guidelines for chemicals in the air. These guidelines are set for individual chemicals and do not address the accumulative, combined, synergistic effect of multiple chemicals. (3) No.
(3) No.
(2) Do health regulations which describe the safe levels of chemical emissions take into account the - (a) cumulative impacts over time; (b) the combined effect of more than one chemical; and (c) the synergistic effect of multiple chemicals? (3) Do Department of Health regulations apply to workplaces and mine sites? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Department of Health is aware of the controversy associated with multiple chemical sensitivity. This entity is not included in the international classification of diseases. However, the Department of Health recognises that some people may become sensitised to chemicals. (2) In determining safe levels of chemical emissions, the Department of Health bases its health advice on national and international guidelines for chemicals in the air. These guidelines are set for individual chemicals and do not address the accumulative, combined, synergistic effect of multiple chemicals. (3) No.
(b) the combined effect of more than one chemical; and (c) the synergistic effect of multiple chemicals?
(c) the synergistic effect of multiple chemicals?
Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Department of Health is aware of the controversy associated with multiple chemical sensitivity. This entity is not included in the international classification of diseases. However, the Department of Health recognises that some people may become sensitised to chemicals. (2) In determining safe levels of chemical emissions, the Department of Health bases its health advice on national and international guidelines for chemicals in the air. These guidelines are set for individual chemicals and do not address the accumulative, combined, synergistic effect of multiple chemicals. (3) No.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Department of Health is aware of the controversy associated with multiple chemical sensitivity. This entity is not included in the international classification of diseases. However, the Department of Health recognises that some people may become sensitised to chemicals. (2) In determining safe levels of chemical emissions, the Department of Health bases its health advice on national and international guidelines for chemicals in the air. These guidelines are set for individual chemicals and do not address the accumulative, combined, synergistic effect of multiple chemicals. (3) No.
(1) The Department of Health is aware of the controversy associated with multiple chemical sensitivity. This entity is not included in the international classification of diseases. However, the Department of Health recognises that some people may become sensitised to chemicals. (2) In determining safe levels of chemical emissions, the Department of Health bases its health advice on national and international guidelines for chemicals in the air. These guidelines are set for individual chemicals and do not address the accumulative, combined, synergistic effect of multiple chemicals. (3) No.
(2) In determining safe levels of chemical emissions, the Department of Health bases its health advice on national and international guidelines for chemicals in the air. These guidelines are set for individual chemicals and do not address the accumulative, combined, synergistic effect of multiple chemicals. (3) No.
(3) No.
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