WRITTEN QUESTION E-2028/99

by Pedro Marset Campos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(3 November 1999)

Subject: Effects on health of mobile phone masts in residential areas

In certain residential areas in Spain, including the town of La Unión in Murcia, there is widespread concern among residents caused by the presence of mobile phone masts and base stations and their possible effects on health.

With reference to written question E-1788/98(1) and the proposal for a Council Recommendation presented by the Commission on the limitation to exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields 0 Hz-300 GHz (COM(1998) 268 final):

1. Is the Commission aware of the public concern that exists in Spain?

2. Does the Commission agree that the siting of mobile phone masts in residential areas without protection and/or isolation measures is damaging to health?

3. Will the Commission give details of progress on the above proposal for a Council recommendation and of current legislation on exposure of citizens to electromagnetic radiation and how it is being implemented in the Member States?

(1) OJ C 50, 22.2.1999, p. 93.

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(20 December 1999)

The Commission has taken due note of concerns on possible harmful effects on health of electromagnetic fields.

On 9 March 1999, the Council and the Parliament adopted Directive 1999/5/EC on radio equipment and telecommunications terminal equipment and the mutual recognition of their conformity(1). This lays down the requirements that radio transmitters need to meet in order to be placed on the market and be operated. It envisages that Member States may restrict operation for health reasons, e.g. by imposing certain minimum distances between the transmitter and the public.

On 8 June 1999, the Council adopted Recommendation 1999/519/EC proposed by the Commission on the limitation of exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields(2). This takes account of the scientific opinion of the International commission on non-ionizing radiation, supported by the Commission's scientific steering committee referring to established effects on human health of exposure to electromagnetic fields.

In this context, it should be noted that the extensive research done in Europe through the co-ordinated action of the COST 244 and 244bis projects over the last decade has not demonstrated any reproducible detrimental effects on health at the levels of radio-frequency emissions typical of mobile phones and cell masts.

As a result of the widespread use of mobile phones, it is clear that if there is an adverse health effect, it could be a longer term effect. Therefore, research should further continue to measure such effects and the results of on-going and future research in this area will be considered in the context of the reporting procedure provided for in the text of the Recommendation.

In the context of the Fifth framework programme for research, technological development and demonstration(3), the programme on Quality of life and management of living resources(4) foresees in its key action 4 Environment and health specific research on the health effects of electromagnetic radiation and in particular epidemiological and biomedical studies to determine possible effects linked to non-ionising radiation, particularly from cellular phones and antennas (point 2 of the quality of life work programme)(5). Several applications relevant to this field are processed for possible funding for the 1999 budget.

(1) OJ L 91, 7.4.1999.

(2) OJ L 199, 30.7.1999.

(3) OJ C 173, 7.6.1997.

(4) COM(98) 305 final.

(5) Commission decision No C/99/493 of 4.3.1999.