Swiss to probe use of snow-preserving chemicals

ZURICH, Jan 20 (Reuters) The Swiss Environment Ministry said it would investigate the use and effect of chemicals which help preserve snow on ski runs in high temperatures.

''It wants to gain an overview of this practice in Switzerland: where, when and what quantities of auxiliary products are used to prepare pistes and what are the effects of these products on the environment,'' the Environment Ministry said in a statement yesterday.

The ministry said it would then decide what measures, if any, to take against the use of such products.

The ministry said it was not concentrating on the world-famous Lauberhorn run in Wengen, where last weekend's World Cup races were only able to go ahead because the resort used artificial snow and chemicals to preserve the piste.

REUTERS SY KP1010