WRITTEN QUESTION E-4190/97 by Ernesto Caccavale (UPE) to the Commission (21 January 1998)

Subject: Electricity transmission lines and magnetic fields: health hazards

Leading European environmental organizations such as Codacons and Legambiente have loudly protested at the statements made by Enel, which has a monopoly on electricity distribution in Italy, regarding the construction of a large electricity transforming station in Striano, in the Province of Naples.

According to leading oncologists, the electromagnetic fields generated by high-voltage installations are carcinogenic and are thus a major health hazard.

Would the Commission state whether:

- any studies conducted at European level point to the existence of a close link between exposure to electromagnetic fields and an increased risk of disorders of the lymph nodes, leukaemia and tumours in the nervous system?

- it is true that Enel has asked it for information on any Community Directives or provisions concerning the construction of high-voltage transforming stations and above-ground electricity transmission lines, which take due account of the allegedly carcinogenic effect of the electromagnetic fields generated?

- it can vouch for the fact that Enel is acting in full compliance with Community public health legislation?

- it intends to ask the Italian authorities for further information and, where appropriate, initiate the proceedings provided for in the Treaties to guard against any action which might be detrimental to public health?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (11 March 1998)

Static and extremely low frequency (ELF) electric and magnetic fields originate from the generation, transmission and use of electric power. Electric shocks and burns, produced by currents following interaction with energized conductors, have been of concern since the first use of electricity. Today, the public is concerned more about slow-acting ('delayed') and imperceptible effects of exposure to fields associated with the use of electricity. Some epidemiological studies have reported effects on biological systems exposed to static and ELF fields at significantly lower levels than could be explained by established mechanisms. However, the crucial scientific question is whether the reported biological effects could lead to any adverse health consequence. So far, there are no accepted mechanisms by which supposed effects might occur from exposure to fields that have strengths too low to induce currents in the body less than endogenous currents.

Biological studies have not to date been able to establish any mechanisms through which ELF fields are likely to effect carcinogenesis. On the other hand, epidemiological studies on possible health effects from residential exposure to electromagnetic fields created by high voltage transmission lines covered a wide range of outcomes, such as neurodegenerative diseases, reproductive effects, leukaemia, breast cancer or brain tumours. Research dates back to 1979 when a Swedish study was first published, and since then about a dozen epidemiological studies have concentrated on childhood cancer. Reviews of these studies concluded that the question of an association between living in a home near to a power line and risk of childhood leukaemia remains open. However, the average fields measured in homes of children have not been found to be associated with an excess of childhood leukaemia or other cancers, and no factors have been identified that could explain an association between living next to a power line and childhood leukaemia.

At present, the Community funds epidemiological research on magnetic fields and cancer under the Biomed 2 programme, and results are expected in summer 1999. European research activities on bioeffects of exposure to ELF fields is coordinated in the context of a COST action, and will be continued under the forthcoming fifth framework programme.

The Commission is not aware of the ENEL request for information to which the Honourable Member refers and is not in a position to confirm that the activity of ENEL complies with Community law. The Commission collects information transmitted by national authorities and by complainants. According to the information the Commission possesses to date, no conclusion can be drawn as to whether ENEL complies with Community environmental law.

Council Directive 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment ((OJ L 175, 5.7.1985. )), the so-called environmental impact assessment (EIA) Directive, lists in its Annex II 3 b as activity 'transmission of electrical energy by overhead cables'. According to the EIA Directive such installations have to carry out an EIA if their impact on the environment is significant which has to be determined by the Member States for Annex II projects. If the Member State has determined (by setting thresholds or criteria on by a case by case examination) that such type of installation should carry out an EIA the effects on different environmental media as well as on human beings have to be identified, described and assessed. In this context, of course, health impacts might play in important factor in the impact assessment.

In Council Directive 97/11/EC of 3 March 1997 amending Directive 85/337/EEC ((OJ L 73, 14.3.1997. )) which was adopted in 1997 and has to be implemented in the Member States by March 1999 at the latest, the construction of overhead electrical power lines with a voltage of 220 KV or more and a length of more than 15 km was moved from Annex II of the EIA Directive to Annex I. This means that for projects of this type an EIA will be obligatory as of March 1999.

Given the information currently available, for the Commission there are no legal grounds to take action since it has not been notified of non-compliance with existing Community legislation.