Capper Pass

Capper Pass & Son Limited (CPSL) operated a tin smelter on Humberside from 1937-1991. It processed complex metallurgical feedstocks which contained small quantities of potentially hazardous elements. The operation was subject to thorough internal and external controls. Rio Tinto owned CPSL from 1967 through to its closure in 1991, decommissioning and subsequent sale in 1995.

In response to allegations of major health risks posed to former employees and residents of the plant, Rio Tinto set up the Capper Pass Claims Review Scheme under an independent Review Board of legal and medical experts to determine any claims. In addition, the company commissioned an independent medical review to determine whether there was any evidence which could link employment at the plant with health issues encountered by former workers.

The scientific journal Occupational Medicine has today (9 March, 2005) published a major study into the causes of death of men who worked at the former tin smelter. This piece of work was proposed by Sir Richard Doll, the eminent scientist who first identified the link between lung cancer and smoking. The study was carried out by Westlakes Scientific Consulting, who are leading occupational health specialists, under the supervision of Sir Richard Doll.

The report shows that the overall mortality of the former Capper Pass employees is no different from normal (when compared against both national and regional death rates), with detailed findings showing a higher risk of lung cancer, a lower risk of fatal heart disease and no significant differences for all other disease categories.

The publication has been subjected to the necessary scientific peer group review prior to publication, and is to be welcomed as providing much needed authoritative conclusions on the alleged health risks of the former smelter. The report's findings are being circulated to the many former employees who have asked to be kept informed, to claimants under the Capper Pass Claims Review Scheme via their solicitor, and to other interested parties.

Issues relating to claims will be determined by the Review Board.

For further information regarding the report contact one of the principal authors:

Professor Stephen Jones
Principal Consultant
Westlakes Research Institute
Westlakes Science and Technology Park
Moor Row
Cumbria CA24 3L

Capper Pass & Son Limited (CPSL) operated a tin smelter on Humberside, UK, from 1937 to 1991. It processed complex metallurgical feedstocks which contained small quantities of potentially hazardous elements. The operation was subject to thorough internal and external controls. Rio Tinto owned CPSL from 1967 through to its closure in 1991, decommissioning and subsequent sale in 1995.

In 1997, David Russell of Towells, solicitors, announced his intention to sue Rio Tinto for causing the death of a former employee who had just died of lung cancer. Mr Russell embarked on a major media campaign against Rio Tinto, claiming that hundreds of other employees and residents had died or been injured due to Capper Pass. However, no legal proceedings were initiated then or subsequently.

Frustrated by the lack of any forum in which to answer the allegations, Rio Tinto offered, in June 2000, to set up an independent review board of legal and medical experts to determine any claims. The rules of the Claims Review Scheme and the composition of the board were agreed with Mr Russell in January 2002.

At a public meeting with many of the claimants in Hull at the end of January 2002, the board's chairman, Sir Philip Otton, a retired appeal court judge and chairman of the Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospital NHS Trust, encouraged claims to be submitted early and expressed the hope that all the claims would be determined within about two years. Mr Russell delayed submitting any claims for 12 months. The claims submitted had neither been vetted for eligibility under the agreed rules nor for basic scientific credibility. Rio Tinto has been waiting over seven years for Mr Russell's evidence.

As a result, to date, the board has not been able to resolve any of the 660 eligible claims.