WRITTEN QUESTION E-2630/97 by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission (1 September 1997)

Subject: Risks to human health from excessive exposure to non-ionising electromagnetic radiation

'Non-ionising radiation' is widely used in much new technology, in other words, electromagnetic waves whose frequency varies between 10 Khz and 300 Ghz, and which are now to be found in high concentrations in any man-made environment.

With the enormous development of radio and television services and mobile telephones, the situation has worsened recently to the extent that there are areas with an extremely high concentration of electromagnetic waves, such as the Prati district in Rome where the inhabitants often hear broadcasts from some radio transmitter 'playing back' through their intercoms or notice that some of their domestic appliances have suddenly switched on spontaneously. Local residents' committees have been reporting such incidents to the authorities for some time now.

European legislation in this area appears to be lacking, however, if it is true that no official studies have yet been carried out into the short- and long-term effects of over-exposure to non-ionising radiation.

Can the Commission therefore state:

1. whether there is any legislation at EU level on protection against the health risks posed by excessive exposure to non-ionising radiation?

2. whether there are any official, reliable studies on this subject which can demonstrate that there is no danger to human beings from these electromagnetic waves?

3. whether it considers in any case that large concentrations of powerful receiver and transmitter systems in any one area should be avoided?

4. what follow-up has there been to the recommendations set out in the Green Paper on mobile communications on giving priority to environmental and health protection issues in connection with the development of mobile communications systems?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (23 October 1997)

The Commission is aware of the concerns regarding health risks from exposure to non-ionising electromagnetic radiation.

It is for this reason that the Commission keeps under review research undertaken on this matter and takes all the necessary initiatives within its sphere of competence to ensure that Community requirements are put in place for the protection of workers and public.

1. Community legislation exists for minimum health and safety requirements for work with display equipment ((Council Directive 90/270/EEC on the minimum safety and health requirements for work with display screen equipment (fifth individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16 (1) of Directive 89/391/EEC); OJ L 156, 21.6.1990. )).

In the context of limiting the exposure of workers to non-ionising electromagnetic radiation a proposal by the Commission was made in 1993 ((Commission proposal for a Council Directive on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents; OJ C 77, 18.3.1993. )). Moreover, work is in hand, based on scientific evidence, to prepare proposals for recommendations on the limitation of exposure of the public to electromagnetic fields in the frequency range from 1 hertz (Hz) to 300 gigahertz (GHz).

2. Electromagnetic radiation may result in thermal effects, associated with the conversion of energy into heat. These are scientifically well established and form the biological basis for guidelines on exposure limits issued by internationally recognised bodies of eminent scientists, prominent among which is the International commission on non-ionising radiation protection (ICNIRP).

In contrast, potential non-thermal effects such as cancer induction and promotion are not proven and are the subject of ongoing research.

Under the umbrella of the electromagnetic field (EMF) project of the World health organisation (WHO), guidance for risk hazard assessment is currently being prepared. The Commission plays an important role in this and other activities with a view to proposing pertinent Community measures, if non-thermal effects are shown to occur.

A review 'Non-ionizing radiation: Sources, exposure and health effects' of existing studies was published by the Commission in 1996. A copy is being sent to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.

3. The Commission's proposal for a Council directive on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment ((COM(96) 511 final. )) covers the telecommunication sector and thus addresses the issue of the installation of receiver and transmitter systems.

4. An expert group was asked to elaborate a coordinated programme for research into potential health effects of mobile communication systems.

At the end of 1996 the experts identified missing epidemiological, biophysical and biological research as regards athermal effects. Work on exposure systems and dosimetry is also necessary in order to establish dose-response effects in complex parts of the body such as the head. The Commission is at present considering how best to integrate the recommendations of the experts in its proposals concerning the Community's research and development (R& D) programme.