WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1788/98 by Angela SIERRA GONZÁLEZ , Laura GONZÁLEZ ÁLVAREZ , Pedro MARSET CAMPOS to the Commission. Effects on health of high-tension power lines
Date: 1998-06-11
Institutions: European Parliament, GONZALEZ ALVAREZ, MARSET CAMPOS, SIERRA GONZALEZ
Subjects: EC recommendation, electricity supply, electromagnetic interference, occupational health, occupational safety, public health













EUR-Lex - 91998E1788 - EN






Avis juridique important




|



91998E1788

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1788/98 by Angela SIERRA GONZÁLEZ , Laura GONZÁLEZ ÁLVAREZ , Pedro MARSET CAMPOS to the Commission. Effects on health of high-tension power lines  


Official Journal C 050 , 22/02/1999 P. 0093 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-1788/98by Angela Sierra González (GUE/NGL) , Laura González Álvarez (GUE/NGL) and Pedro Marset Campos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission(11 June 1998)Subject: Effects on health of high-tension power linesIn recent years, many social groups (neighbourhood associations, environmentalists, etc.) have drawn attention to the effects on health of the electromagnetic fields created by the installation of high-tension power lines. Groups of scientists have also corroborated the theory that the electromagnetic radiation produced by these installations is harmful to the human body.The harmful effects of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation seem to be confirmed by studies showing a link between exposure to such radiation and damage to health.What are the most recent studies available to the Commission on electromagnetic contamination and effects on health?Has the Commission examined the need for a directive on the effects of such radiation on public health?Does the Commission consider that existing legalisation in the Community on the installation of high-tension power lines is adequate, particularly in Spain?Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission(20 July 1998)The Commission keeps under review research undertaken on established, as well as presumed, health effects related to human exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF). The latter are the object of various research initiatives by the Community as well as international efforts such as the EMF programme of the World health organization (WHO). A comprehensive review of relevant studies and provisions, entitled "Non-ionizing radiation: sources, exposure and health effects", was published by the Commission in 1996.The Commission has provided extensive information on these initiatives. The subject was also raised in many petitions and parliamentary questions, in particular Written Questions E-2630/97 by Mrs Angelilli(1), E-1387/97 by Mrs Baldi(2), E-510/96 by Mr Ford(3), E-2751/96 by Mr Bowe(4) and E-2087/96 by Mrs Billingham(5).The Commission presented in 1993 a proposal for a Council directive on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents(6) which included requirements on the limitation of exposure of workers to non-ionising electromagnetic radiation. In addition, the Commission has now proposed a Council recommendation on the limitation of exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields 0 Hertz (Hz) - 300 Gigahertz (GHz)(7).(1) OJ C 102, 3.4.1998.(2) OJ C 373, 9.12.1997.(3) OJ C 173, 17.6.1996.(4) OJ C 60, 26.2.1997.(5) OJ C 356, 25.11.1996.(6) OJ C 77, 18.3.1993.(7) COM(98) 268 final.