Asked by: Lord McKenzie of Luton (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Stedman-Scott on 11 June (HL874), whether they will publish a comprehensive list of the (1) literature reviews, and (2) individual studies, on the relationship between silica or asbestos and anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody associated vasculitis that they have taken into account since the publication of the Position Paper of the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council on 3 April 2020.
Answered by Baroness Stedman-Scott
The relationship between silica or asbestos and anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody associated vasculitis is not a current investigation of the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council. The Council carried out a comprehensive review of the scientific literature on this topic and published a fully referenced position paper and found some evidence relating crystalline silica exposures to an increased risk of ANCA-associated vasculitis. The evidence was not consistent and mostly derived from small studies which are potentially subject to selection and publication biases. Consequently, the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council considered that ANCA-associated vasculitis associated with silica exposure did not meet the criteria for prescription under the Industrial Injuries Scheme.
Regular scanning of published literature since the position paper was published has not uncovered any further significant evidence. The Industrial Injuries Advisory Council does not publish literature searches and has no plans to do so.
Asked by: Lord McKenzie of Luton (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of any evidence of the relationship between silica or asbestos and anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody associated vasculitis which has been discovered since the publication on 3 April 2020 of the report by the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council Occupational exposure to Silica or asbestos and ANCA-associated vasculitis; and what plans that Council has to review its position in that regard.
Answered by Baroness Stedman-Scott
When deciding whether to prescribe new diseases or making any changes to the appropriate prescriptions under the Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit Scheme, Ministers are guided by the recommendations of the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council (“IIAC”). IIAC is independent of Government.
IIAC continually reviews the emerging literature, but at present nothing has come to light which might indicate the Council should change the views expressed in its Position Paper on occupational exposure to silica or asbestos and ANCA-associated vasculitis published on 3 April 2020. The Council will, of course, maintain a watching brief on this topic and may re-evaluate its position should any substantial evidence become apparent.