Caít Keane (Fine Gael)

While I agree with all that has been said about the banks I wish to raise a health issue, that is, to reduce human exposure to lead. We all know about lead in drinking water and how, in the 1950s, when it was first brought to attention that regulations were introduced providing that the lead content should not exceed 25 mg per litre. It is assumed that people get 50% of the lead they consume from water. I wish to draw attention to research carried out recently by the HSE public analyst's laboratory in the western region on chemicals contained in cosmetic products. The subsequent HSE laboratory annual report that followed from this research revealed that out of 31 samples tested, 16 breached the statutory 0.2% formaldehyde limit and some had levels as high as 9.5%. This is a carcinogenic which can cause cancer if applied to the skin or inhaled over a long period. The men across the House may not use cosmetics but they do some of the time.