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(2004/C 84 E/0762)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0809/04

by Ian Hudghton (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(8 March 2004)

Subject:   Terrestrial trunked radio masts

The Commission, in its implementation report on Council Recommendation 1999/519/EC (1), limiting public exposure to electromagnetic fields (0Hz to 300 GHz), Section 8.3, states that ‘recent findings in the extremely low frequency area ... have to be evaluated.’ It further states that the Commission will review its recommendations ‘taking into account the latest scientific data and advice.’

TETRA is being introduced in the UK to serve the police and emergency services. It operates at ultra high frequency (395 Mhz) pulses of around 17,6Hz, a frequency which has been shown as causing damage to the nervous and immune systems in human beings. The UK Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones in their Government-commissioned study of 2000, the Stewart Report, said that modulation around the frequency of 16Hz ‘should be avoided’ because of possible health impacts.

In spite of this, 3 000 masts are being erected across the UK, 700 in my constituency (Scotland) amidst growing public concern that the system has never been properly evaluated on health grounds. Meanwhile amongst police personnel who are already using the system, symptoms associated with exposure to mobile-communications-type radiation levels such as sleep disruption, migraine headaches and so on are already being reported.

The regulations governing public exposure to electromagnetic fields were fixed prior to the introduction of TETRA. In light of its own report on the implementation of Council Recommendation 1999/519/EC, would the Commission agree that, in the interests of public health, a moratorium be placed on further development of this system until a proper evaluation of health risks has been carried out?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(7 April 2004)

On 12 July 1999 the Council adopted Recommendation 1999/519/EC limiting the exposure of the general public to non-ionising radiation with the view of protecting human health in a frequency range of 0 Herz (Hz) to 300 Gigaherz (Ghz). This also covers the frequencies mentioned by the Honourable Member. The Scientific Committee on Toxicology-Ecotoxicology and the Environment confirmed on 30 November 2001 that ‘the additional information which has become available on carcinogenic and other non-thermal effects of radio frequency and microwave radiation frequencies in the last years does not justify a revision of the exposure limits set by the Commission’. This view was generally supported in a conference on mobile communication in January 2004 (2) and by a series of expert reports recently produced in some Member States.

An implementation report on the Council Recommendation was published in March 2003 focusing on measures taken in Member States. This report states in paragraph 8.3 that some recent findings in the extremely low frequency area have to be further evaluated. This refers in particular to extreme low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields at power frequencies (50/60 Hz) originating from power lines.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is currently conducting a major assessment relating to EMF, both in the low and radio frequency range. The Commission is following closely this project. It is to be expected that the outcome of this work will provide key elements to determine eventual further steps.

Considerable research work has been and continues to be undertaken to investigate possible long term effects on health of exposure to electromagnetic fields. The Commission is following closely any new scientific results in the domain to react, if necessary, to any new scientific evidence not taken to date into consideration. Once finalised (2004-2006), the projects supported by the Community under the 5th Framework Programme for Research (FP5) should provide an important input to address the knowledge gap and will also contribute to the related activities of the WHO.

In addition, under the 6th Framework Programme, the new Coordination Action on EMF (EMF-NET) aimed at improving the co-ordination of the results of the research activities related to the biological effects of electromagnetic fields has just started (2004-2008). The consortium involves all the co-ordinators of the EU (FP5) funded active projects, and of major research projects at national level (Germany, Greece, France, Italy, Finland, United Kingdom, Hungary). In addition, it links to other international activities, such as COST 281 Action, WHO EMF activities, associations of industries and manufacturers, regulatory bodies, scientific associations, and trade union associations. This network will, ‘inter alia’, review European and national EMF studies and support informed decision making for regulation and risk communication by health and environmental authorities, consumer associations and individuals.

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(1)OJ L 199, 30.7.1999, p. 59.

(2)  http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/rtte/emfworkshop/index.htm

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