The following
projects were commissioned as part of the Government's continuing research
programme on the impacts on health of landfill sites, are now underway.
They
are:
1.
A
review of the potential teratogenicity of substances emanating from
landfill sites.
A review of the data and literature on chemicals and other substances
which are known to be released from landfill sites to assess whether
any have teratogenic potential.
Principal reviewers: FM Sullivan, Dr S Barlow (Independent Consultants)
and Dr P McElhatton (National Teratology Information Service).
2.
A review of the known causes of congenital malformations.
A literature study into the known causes of the congenital malformations
of concern, in particular those relating to the environment.
Principal reviewers: Dr Helen Dolk (University of Ulster) and Professor
Nigel Brown (St George's Hospital Medical School)
Expected reporting date: January 2004
3.
A study of the geographical variation in overall rates of congenital
abnormalities and the rates of specific abnormalities.
An examination of whether geographical heterogeneity exists in the distribution
of congenital malformation and whether there are any unrecognised geographical
confounders that must be taken into account.
Study coordinator: Dr M Vrijheid (London School of Hygiene and Tropical
Medicine)
To read the report summary, click here
(file
size 20kb)
4.
Exposure assessment of landfill sites.
Research into typical personal exposures to emissions from landfill
sites
Study contractor :Enviros Consulting Ltd
Expected Reporting date : September 2004
Environmental Chemicals Unit