# CE2004070EN.01021101.xml

| 20.3.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 70/211 |
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20.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 70/211

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(2004/C 70 E/227)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3076/03

by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(20 October 2003)

Subject:   Results of studies into the threats to the health of people living or working in the vicinity of transmitter masts for the new UMTS system

Subject:

| 1. | In recent years have complaints come to the Commission's attention concerning mobile telephony (GSM) transmitter masts which are annoying to and potentially damaging to the health of those living or working in buildings on which such masts are sited, irrespective of whether scientific studies have yet provided conclusive proof of such damage. |
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1.

In recent years have complaints come to the Commission's attention concerning mobile telephony (GSM) transmitter masts which are annoying to and potentially damaging to the health of those living or working in buildings on which such masts are sited, irrespective of whether scientific studies have yet provided conclusive proof of such damage.

| 2. | Following the initially slow take-up of the new UMTS system, which is the basis for rapid Internet access and the transmission of images via mobile phones, does the Commission expect to see a rapid expansion in the use of the system over the next few years and, as a result, an increase in the number of transmitter masts and their associated electro-magnetic fields? |
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2.

Following the initially slow take-up of the new UMTS system, which is the basis for rapid Internet access and the transmission of images via mobile phones, does the Commission expect to see a rapid expansion in the use of the system over the next few years and, as a result, an increase in the number of transmitter masts and their associated electro-magnetic fields?

| 3. | Is the Commission aware of the study into the impact of the new UMTS technology carried out by the Netherlands research institute TNO, which puts forward evidence to suggest that, unlike in the case of GSM transmitter masts, people living or working in the vicinity of UMTS transmitter masts may be affected by dizziness, tingling sensations in their limbs, headaches, sleeplessness and loss of concentration, resulting in temporary or permanent damage to their health? |
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3.

Is the Commission aware of the study into the impact of the new UMTS technology carried out by the Netherlands research institute TNO, which puts forward evidence to suggest that, unlike in the case of GSM transmitter masts, people living or working in the vicinity of UMTS transmitter masts may be affected by dizziness, tingling sensations in their limbs, headaches, sleeplessness and loss of concentration, resulting in temporary or permanent damage to their health?

| 4. | How do the stricter safety provisions governing UMTS in Italy, the Austrian province of Salzburg and Switzerland differ from the standard EU provisions? Are there Member States or regions in the EU where UMTS transmitter masts may not be built in places where they may adversely affect the local population? In what areas is UMTS operation contingent on scientific studies demonstrating that radiation poses no risk to public health, or in what areas is that operation subject to other restrictions? |
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4.

How do the stricter safety provisions governing UMTS in Italy, the Austrian province of Salzburg and Switzerland differ from the standard EU provisions? Are there Member States or regions in the EU where UMTS transmitter masts may not be built in places where they may adversely affect the local population? In what areas is UMTS operation contingent on scientific studies demonstrating that radiation poses no risk to public health, or in what areas is that operation subject to other restrictions?

| 5. | Is the Commission encouraging measures to combat the adverse effects on public health in the Member States? What specific measures in this area can the public expect to see in the near future? |
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5.

Is the Commission encouraging measures to combat the adverse effects on public health in the Member States? What specific measures in this area can the public expect to see in the near future?

Source: the 1 October 2003 issue of the Netherlands daily newspaper de Volkskrant.

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(1 December 2003)

(1 December 2003)

| 1. | The siting of mobile phone masts is an issue, which as mentioned by the Honourable Member, is giving rise to public concern in Member States. At the same time, the public perception of the risks posed by masts is at odds with measured exposure levels. The extremely rapid deployment of mobile networks over the last years, in many cases without consultation of the public, seems to be the main reason for this. European citizens have (either directly or through their MEPs) approached the Commission on this matter, notably to enquire about safety standards and the risks associated with electric and magnetic field (EMF) exposure.
  The Commission consistently responds to these questions and always recalls, that the Community:






  — | has adopted Council Recommendation 1999/59/EEC of 12 July 1999 on the limitation of exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields (0 Herz (Hz) to 300 Giga-Herz (GHz)) (1); |
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1.

The siting of mobile phone masts is an issue, which as mentioned by the Honourable Member, is giving rise to public concern in Member States. At the same time, the public perception of the risks posed by masts is at odds with measured exposure levels. The extremely rapid deployment of mobile networks over the last years, in many cases without consultation of the public, seems to be the main reason for this. European citizens have (either directly or through their MEPs) approached the Commission on this matter, notably to enquire about safety standards and the risks associated with electric and magnetic field (EMF) exposure.

The Commission consistently responds to these questions and always recalls, that the Community:

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has adopted Council Recommendation 1999/59/EEC of 12 July 1999 on the limitation of exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields (0 Herz (Hz) to 300 Giga-Herz (GHz)) (1);

1

| — | regulates its products to adhere to these limits, through Directive 1999/5/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 1999 on radio equipment and telecommunications terminal equipment and the mutual recognition of their conformity (2) (the R&TTE Directive and Council Directive 73/23/EEC of 19 February 1973 on the harmonisation of the laws of Member States relating to electrical equipment designed for use within certain voltage limits (3) (the Low Voltage Directive); |
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regulates its products to adhere to these limits, through Directive 1999/5/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 1999 on radio equipment and telecommunications terminal equipment and the mutual recognition of their conformity (2) (the R&TTE Directive and Council Directive 73/23/EEC of 19 February 1973 on the harmonisation of the laws of Member States relating to electrical equipment designed for use within certain voltage limits (3) (the Low Voltage Directive);

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| — | requests re-evaluation of the scientific literature regularly in order to review the set safety limits. |
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requests re-evaluation of the scientific literature regularly in order to review the set safety limits.

| 2. | Even though it is expected that a larger number of antennas will be installed, there is currently no reason to assume that the roll-out of UMTS networks will have a substantial impact on the exposure of the public to electromagnetic fields. Measurements on the real-life exposure done in several Member States have demonstrated that these normally are in orders of magnitude below the safety levels as recommended by Council Recommendation 1999/519/EEC. Only in the close vicinity of masts (i.e. within meters of the base station itself) would they be of the same order as set in the Recommendation. Co-locating UMTS on masts already used for GSM, therefore, only has an effect on exposure conditions in the immediate vicinity of the mast. |
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2.

Even though it is expected that a larger number of antennas will be installed, there is currently no reason to assume that the roll-out of UMTS networks will have a substantial impact on the exposure of the public to electromagnetic fields. Measurements on the real-life exposure done in several Member States have demonstrated that these normally are in orders of magnitude below the safety levels as recommended by Council Recommendation 1999/519/EEC. Only in the close vicinity of masts (i.e. within meters of the base station itself) would they be of the same order as set in the Recommendation. Co-locating UMTS on masts already used for GSM, therefore, only has an effect on exposure conditions in the immediate vicinity of the mast.

| 3. | The Commission is aware of the study done in the Netherlands. This study focused on relations between exposure to low intensity fields of base stations used for GSM 900, GSM 1800 and UMTS (3rd generation) networks. An unexpected but small negative correlation between well-being and exposure to UMTS exposure was found. No such correlation was observed for exposure to GSM fields. A positive correlation between cognitive capabilities and exposure to GSM fields, also observed in other studies was confirmed. The study does not conclude that the observed effects have an impact on health. It calls for confirmation of its results and an extension of the study method. |
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3.

The Commission is aware of the study done in the Netherlands. This study focused on relations between exposure to low intensity fields of base stations used for GSM 900, GSM 1800 and UMTS (3rd generation) networks. An unexpected but small negative correlation between well-being and exposure to UMTS exposure was found. No such correlation was observed for exposure to GSM fields. A positive correlation between cognitive capabilities and exposure to GSM fields, also observed in other studies was confirmed. The study does not conclude that the observed effects have an impact on health. It calls for confirmation of its results and an extension of the study method.

| 4. | The Commission is aware that in certain Member States and in Switzerland, lower safety levels have been adopted. As mentioned, real life exposure levels are in orders of magnitude below the safety levels. They only have consequences for the safety zones immediately around masts. In the case of applying the Italian levels, this safety zone would need to be three times larger compared to the levels set by the Recommendation (typically 10 instead of three to four meters from the mast). |
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4.

The Commission is aware that in certain Member States and in Switzerland, lower safety levels have been adopted. As mentioned, real life exposure levels are in orders of magnitude below the safety levels. They only have consequences for the safety zones immediately around masts. In the case of applying the Italian levels, this safety zone would need to be three times larger compared to the levels set by the Recommendation (typically 10 instead of three to four meters from the mast).

| 5. | To the best knowledge of the Commission, the limits and standards in place protect European citizens from adverse health effects. Nevertheless, the Commission is following research in this area closely and will take new scientific evidence into consideration when it reviews the Council Recommendation 1999/519/EEC in 2004. |
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5.

To the best knowledge of the Commission, the limits and standards in place protect European citizens from adverse health effects. Nevertheless, the Commission is following research in this area closely and will take new scientific evidence into consideration when it reviews the Council Recommendation 1999/519/EEC in 2004.

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(1)  OJ L 199, 30.7.1999.

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(2)  OJ L 91, 7.4.1999.

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(3)  OJ L 77, 26.3.1973.

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