LONDON: British medical experts say faulty French-made breast implants do not pose any long-term health problems to women even if they rupture.

The implants made by now defunct French company Poly Implant Prothese were pulled from the market in several countries amid fears they could rupture and leak silicone into the body.

Professor Bruce Keogh, medical director of Britain's National Health Service, said Monday that investigation shows that the gel materials used inside the implants are not toxic or carcinogenic.

Around 47,000 British women are believed to have been given PIP implants.

The UK government agreed to remove any implants put in by the National Health Service but said women who had the surgery done privately would have to have clinics remove the implants.