WRITTEN QUESTION No. 4020/97 by Panayotis LAMBRIAS to the Commission. Lead in drinking water
Date: 1998-01-14
Institutions: European Parliament, LAMBRIAS
Subjects: EC Directive, EU Member State, World Health Organisation, drinking water, lead, national implementing measure, water, water pollution

22. 6. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 196/59

(98/C 196/81)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4019/97

by Panayotis Lambrias (PPE) to the Commission

(14 January 1998)

Subject: Funding of research into allergies

According  to  recent  estimates,  one  third  of  Europe(cid:146)s  population  suffers  from  some  kind  of  allergy.  Will  the
Commission say how it intends to adapt the planned fifth research and development framework programme to
secure financial support for research into allergies in Europe, in view of the fact that the cost of these allergies has
been estimated at ECU 30 billion per year.

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission

(25 February 1998)

Within  the  5th  framework  programme  for  research,  technological  development  and  demonstration  activities
(1998-2002)  proposal,  as  modified  by  the  Commission  on  14  January  1998  after  the  first  reading  by  the
Parliament (1), the scientific and technical objectives of the first activity (cid:145)Improving the quality of life and the
management  of  living  resources(cid:146)  include,  in  the  key  action  (cid:145)Health,  food  and  environmental  factors(cid:146),  the
development of tests to detect and process to eliminate toxic agents, which includes also allergic agents, as well
as research into allergies related or influenced by the environment, and into their treatment and prevention.

Community research activities are intended to be complemented by a future public health action programme on
pollution-related  diseases  that  will  place  emphasis  on  respiratory  diseases  and  allergies.  The  Commission
proposal is at present negotiated in the Parliament and Council (2).

(1)  COM(98) 8.
(2)  OJ C 214, 16.7.1997.

(98/C 196/82)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4020/97

by Panayotis Lambrias (PPE) to the Commission

(14 January 1998)

Subject: Lead in drinking water

The World Health Organization has dramatically reduced the permissible level of lead in drinking water. Will the
Commission  say  what  measures  it  proposes  to  take  to  help  Member  States  reduce  the  quantities  of  lead  in
drinking water as rapidly as possible and to provide widespread information for local government bodies and,
more generally, for the people of Europe in view of the hazard lead poses for human health, especially that of
infants and children.

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(18 February 1998)

In its proposal (1) for revision of Council Directive 80/778/EEC of 15 July 1980 relating to the quality of water
intended  for  human  consumption (2)  (the  drinking  water  directive)  the  Commission  adopted  the  value
recommended by the World health organisation (WHO) of 10 microgrammes per litre (10 mg/l) for lead. This
standard was accepted by the Parliament (first reading on 12 December 1996) and in the common position of the
Council (No 12767/97) on the proposed directive, which was adopted on 19 December 1997.

Once the directive is adopted, in principle during 1998, its implementation is the responsibility of the Member
States. Given the  important  financial  and  practical consequences, exceptionally  for  lead,  Member  States  will
have fifteen years, instead of the five years general timetable, to comply with the parametric value of 10 mg/l.
Between five and fifteen years the interim standard will be 25 mg/l instead of 50 mg/l which is the present standard
for lead.

(1)  OJ C 131, 30.5.1995.
(2)  OJ L 229, 30.8.1980.