Lamb welcomes investigation into cadmium spraying

2.28.23pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 7th Dec 2005

The Department of Health has informed Liberal Democrat MP Norman Lamb that an investigation has been ordered into the health effects of Cadmium spraying over Norwich in 1963 and 1964.

The investigation, which will be conducted by the Health Protection Agency, follows questions tabled under the Freedom of Information Act by Norman Lamb to Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt.

"There are many concerns about the possible effect of the cadmium spraying on the high incidence of oesophageal cancer in Norwich," says Mr Lamb. "Important questions remain unanswered, and I welcome the decision to conduct this investigation."

The investigation will involve the Health Protection Agency (HPA), the local Primary Care Trust, the Cancer Registry and the local Public Health Observatory.

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Public Health Caroline Flint informed Mr Lamb of the investigation, adding "I am advised that it is unlikely the zinc cadmium sulphide dispersion trials have resulted in any long term health effects."

Norwich has twice as many cases of cancer of the oesophagus as the national average.