WRITTEN QUESTION E-0577/03

by Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Commission

(28 February 2003)

Subject: Possible health threat posed by cellphones

Recent research by Swedish doctors on laboratory animals at the University of Malmö suggests that the use of cellphones may damage the brain, and that adolescents among whom there has been a spectacular increase in the use of these phones are most likely to be affected. The research shows that it is suspected that the radiation emitted during the use of cellphones may cause the necrosis of neurons which are the cells on which brain activity is based; this may lead to a reduction in intellectual capacity and cause degenerative diseases of the brain. The researchers have also found that an increase in the intensity of the radiation increases the number of neurons destroyed in the brain.

This particular piece of research differs from most research on the safety of cellphones, since it examines the effect on the human brain rather than the relation between the use of cellphones and cancer.

What measures does the Commission intend to take to fully resolve this important question? Does it intend to promote more extensive research and monitor the effect of the long-term use of cellphones on the human brain?

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(8 April 2003)

The potential impact of mobile phones, and more specifically of electro-magnetic fields (EMF) on human health has been the object of a number of research projects funded under the Quality of Life and Management of Living Resources Programme of the Fifth European Research and Technological Development (RTD) Framework Programme. These projects focus on a number of theoretical health end points including development of cancer, impact on hearing, and on the central nervous system. One of those projects, which started in January 2002 and due to run three years, deals specifically with possible health impacts on the nervous system and particularly on the brain(1). To date, the focus of this project has been on dosimetry and fine scale calculation related to the human head.

The total Community contribution in the Fifth Framework Programme (FP5) to these projects amounted to nearly EUR 11 million. Further research co-ordination is supported through COST (COST Action 281) which links research funded primarily at national level(2). In May 2002, a workshop was devoted to discuss the impact on children. A specific short term mission is working on this item since then and another workshop is already planned in November 2003 in Budapest where specific attention is given to the impact of mobile phone use on the human brain.

As part of the 6th European RTD Framework Programme (2003-2006), the Commission intends to further promote this extensive research effort through the establishment of a policy oriented research network. The aim of the network will be to bring together many of the major EMF and health research projects with other stakeholders (industry, regulators, health community, non-governmental organisations, special interest groups) to consider the outcome of research actions. This topic was the subject of the first Call for research proposals of the 6th Framework Programme and should provide a cost effective framework to review aspects of long-term use of cellphones.

The latest scientific results on the potential health impacts of EMF are kept under review by the European Scientific Committee on Toxicity, Ecotoxicity and the Environment (CSTEE)(3). This Committee has confirmed the validity of the recommended exposure levels in Council Recommendation 1999/519/EEC of 12 July 1999 on the limitation of exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields (0 Hz to 300 GHz)(4) as giving adequate protection against exposure to EMF.

Through this combination of research funding, promotion of scientific co-ordination and regular scientific expert review, the Commission will play its' part in the important debate concerning the use of cellphones.

(1) See www.ramp2001.org.

(2) http://www.cost281.org.

(3) Details of which can be found at http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/sc/index_en.html.

(4) OJ L 199, 30.7.1999.