Blue Circle scare update: 30,000 bags recalled so far

Lafarge has revealed that it has so far received 1,500t of Blue Circle cement back from DIY outlets and builders' merchants following a recall.

CJ revealed yesterday that the company was recalling around 280,000 bags produced at its Westbury plant, which are thought to contain higher than normal levels of chromium VI.

The company said that of the 30,000 bags it had taken back so far, most contained no chromium at all, with just one containing four parts per million of chromium VI.

The limit for chromium, set in cement health and safety guidelines (COSHH) introduced in 2005, is two parts per million.

The chromium in cement can cause dermatitis when cement is mixed with water. Prolonged contact with unprotected skin causes a potential allergic reaction over a period of time.

Commenting on the recall Dr Bill Price, Lafarge national commercial techincal manager, said: "We are talking about very low levels. The levels are higher than two parts per million, but are still lower than they were when the regulations came in."

He added that a number of cements in Europe can contain up to 30 or 40 parts per million of chromium VI.

It is still not known at this stage what may have caused the above-normal levels in Blue Circle cement from Westbury, which is for sale throughout the south west, but Price said Lafarge was exploring all options and had made the recall as a precaution.

Among possible factors which may have led to higher levels of chromium VI are lower than normal levels of ferrous sulphate in the cement's manufacture. Ferrous sulphate is added to remove chromium VI from the cement, because it reacts with the chemical to produce insoluble chromium III.

Other theories are that the limestone and clay used as raw materials in recent production of the cement may have contained higher than usual levels.

Price said that while Lafarge investigates the causes, it has increased the amout of ferrous sulphate it uses in the production of Blue Circle to maximum levels to ensure that its cement contains very low concentrations of chromium VI.