WRITTEN QUESTION No. 230/96 by Alexandros ALAVANOS to the Commission. Use of asbestos in fireproof uniforms worn by Greek firemen
Date: 1996-02-09
Institutions: ALAVANOS, European Parliament
Subjects: Greece, asbestos, carcinogenic substance, clothing, fire protection, occupational safety, prevention of pollution













EUR-Lex - 91996E0230 - EN






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91996E0230

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 230/96 by Alexandros ALAVANOS to the Commission. Use of asbestos in fireproof uniforms worn by Greek firemen  


Official Journal C 185 , 25/06/1996 P. 0044 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-0230/96 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (9 February 1996)Subject: Use of asbestos in fireproof uniforms worn by Greek firemenIt has been repeatedly demonstrated that asbestos in all its forms is a dangerous substance owing to its carcinogenic properties. In Greece, the fireproof uniforms worn by firemen still contain asbestos.1. Does any substitute exist for these uniforms?2. What arrangements exist in other Member States of the European Union, and what measures will be taken at Community level to enable users to dispense with such uniforms to protect them from the dangers to which they are exposed?3. Does the Commission consider that the scope of Directive 87/217/EEC should be extended to cover the use of asbestos as in fireproof uniforms?Answer given by Mr.Flynn on behalf of the Commission (19 March 1996)The Commission is aware that some fireproof uniforms worn by firemen still contain asbestos.1. Replacing asbestos with other non dangerous or less dangerous substances is a well known preventative principle which figures, for example, in Council Directive 90/394/EEC ((OJ L 196, 26.7.1990. )) on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens at work.Replacing asbestos in fireproof uniforms worn by firemen is technically possible if the exposure temperature is not exceedingly high. However, for those temperatures often reached during a fire involving chemical agents, asbestos would still appear to be the only possible solution.2. The Commission does not have information on the situation in Member States, but would point out that in optimal conditions fabrics which contain asbestos are produced in a such way so as to incorporate the asbestos into the fabric with chemical substances which prevent it from being discharged into the air. It is only in the event of these uniforms being poorly maintained that a real risk of exposure can arise and endanger the health of the workers.3. With regard to a possible extension of Council Directive 87/217/EEC ((OJ L 85, 28.3.1987. )) on the prevention and reduction of environmental pollution by asbestos for it to include the use of asbestos in the making of these uniforms, it is to be noted that in Article 2 of the aforementioned Directive 'use of asbestos' means activities which involve the handling of a quantity of more than 100 kilograms of raw asbestos per year and which concern:a) the production of raw asbestos ore asociated with the exposure from mining, orb) the manufacturing and industrial finishing of certain industrial products including asbestos textiles.Subsequent use of these products does not come under the scope of Council Directive 87/217/EEC.