Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 25 March 2026 [Draft]
25 Mar 2026 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Portfolio Question Time
Silica Air Pollution
The Scottish Government has not undertaken any recent assessments of the potential public health impact of silica air pollution.
Due to the nature of their work, construction workers are most likely to be at risk of silica air pollution. Regulation of workplace health and safety is reserved to the United Kingdom Government, which has responsibility for relevant legislation and statutory regulations.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency is responsible for pollution prevention for silica sand quarries across Scotland, and it takes necessary action should quarries not comply with control regulations.
In the same item of business
2. Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green)
Green
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any potential public health impact of silica air pollution. (S6O-05702)
The Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health (Jenni Minto)
SNP
The Scottish Government has not undertaken any recent assessments of the potential public health impact of silica air pollution.Due to the nature of their wo...
Mark Ruskell
Green
In the 14 years that I have been an MSP, I have encountered many examples of environmental injustice. Perhaps the worst case that I have come across is at Bu...
Jenni Minto
SNP
I thank Mark Ruskell for his supplementary question, and I recognise the point that he makes about planning and health. As part of my role as the Minister fo...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
A brief question from Carol Mochan.
Carol Mochan (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
The prevalence of respiratory issues such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in my South Scotland region causes concern. We know about the inequalities...
Jenni Minto
SNP
Ms Mochan raises a fair point—one that I know she presses whenever she asks a question about inequalities in relation to public health. I should highlight th...