WRITTEN QUESTION E-2270/99 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Increased ozone levels in Greece and other Mediterranean countries.
Date: 1999-12-13
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Greece, air quality, ozone, pollution control measures

1.8.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 219 E/135

It is thought that this toxic substance may be carcinogenic and could affect fertility and damage foetuses. It
causes irritation to the skin, eyes and respiratory system. Furthermore, on combustion in waste disposal
plants, it releases dioxins.

1. Will the Commission examine these fresh allegations by Greenpeace?

2. What measures will it take to limit the use of PVC as described above?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(20 January 2000)

Products such as bloodbags, perfusion sets and gastrointestinal tubing are manufactured using soft PVC,
i.e. PVC containing phthalates, and are covered by Council Directive 93/42/EEC of 14 June 1993
concerning safety requirements for medical devices (1). The manufacturer must ensure that the devices
meet all appropriate requirements and in particular perform a risk/ benefit analysis and evaluate the
biocompatibility and toxicity of the materials used. Furthermore, the products mentioned are subject to a
third party evaluation to verify their conformity with the directive. Indeed it should be stressed that the
situation for medical devices is not equivalent to that for other products such as toys.

The soft PVC used for medical devices is the subject of several standards and pharmocopia monographs
used by manufacturers when selecting and testing their materials.

The Commission has, within the framework of Council Regulation (EEC) No 793/93 of 23 March 1993,
launched several years ago a
on the evaluation and control of
comprehensive risk assessment of diethyl hexyl phthalate (DEHP). The risk assessment is expected to be
finalised in the first half of 2000, and will, among other aspects, cover the use of DEHP in medical
applications.

the risks of existing substances (2),

On the basis of the risk assessment, the Commission will, if appropriate, issue a recommendation for a risk
reduction strategy, which will form the basis for Community measures proposed in the framework of
Council Directive 76/769/EEC of 27 July 1976 on the approximation of the laws, regulations and
administrative provisions of the Member States relating to restrictions on the marketing and use of certain
dangerous substances and preparations (3) or in the framework of other relevant existing Community
legislative instruments.

(1) OJ L 125, 19.5.1999 (corrigendum).
(2) OJ L 224, 3.9.1993 (corrigendum).
(3) OJ L 262, 27.9.1976.

(2000/C 219 E/170)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2270/99

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(13 December 1999)

Subject: Increased ozone levels in Greece and other Mediterranean countries

The Commission(cid:146)s report concerning ozone indicates that, in Greece, greater concentrations of ozone in
terms of quantity and duration have been observed this year. The Commission(cid:146)s proposals seek to achieve
a 70 % reduction in ozone exposure compared with 1990. However, the southern Member States of the
EU argue that account has not been taken of special geographical and climatic factors (high temperatures,
sun, humidity) which aggravate the problem and maintain that any benefit is (cid:145)disproportionately(cid:146) out-
weighed by the cost.

Since it is imperative to take measures to reduce pollution levels, what does the Commission consider to
be likely areas in which funding could be earmarked for measures to overcome the problem?

C 219 E/136

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

1.8.2000

Answer given by Mrs Wallstr(cid:246)m on behalf of the Commission

(11 January 2000)

In preparing its proposal for a directive on national emission ceilings (1) the Commission performed an
extensive analysis of costs and benefits of its strategy to combat ground-level ozone (and acidification). In
the model simulations which were part of this analysis the varying natural factors influencing the ozone
formation in particular in southern Europe were fully taken into account, as well as the country-specific
costs for requisite emission control measures.

The cost-benefit analysis of the proposal showed that benefits were higher than costs for all Member States
including Greece. If one takes account of cost savings for Greece because of further emission reductions by
neighbouring third countries, as laid down in the recently signed protocol under the United Nations (UN)
Economic commission for Europe (ECE) Convention on long-range transboundary air pollution, the
surplus of benefits against costs would be even higher.

Results of a case study on the situation in Athens show that implementation of the emission ceilings
would bring tangible reductions of ozone concentrations by 2010, despite the special climatic conditions
in this area. If accompanied by additional efforts on the local level further improvements can be achieved
in terms of even lower ozone concentrations.

As part of regional programmes in the framework of the Community structural funds financial aid for
measures to control emissions of pollutants could be provided. There have been examples of financing
such measures in Greece. The Commission is currently negotiating the new Community support
framework for Greece under which funding of control measures against air pollution is considered.

(1) COM(1999) 125 final, completed by SEC(1999) 2004.

(2000/C 219 E/171)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2271/99

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: The sale of pharmaceutical products on Internet

(13 December 1999)

The availability of pharmaceutical products for sale on Internet is causing concern and raising questions
among not only the experts in the field (doctors, pharmacists) but also among consumers in general. These
concerns relate to the safe use of pharmaceutical products, the distribution of banned substances and the
compilation of data from patients(cid:146) medical files by bodies which are not authorised to do so.

Can the Commission indicate the extent to which pharmaceutical products are now being sold over the
Internet? What steps will it take to protect consumers in general and patients in particular from this
method of selling pharmaceutical products?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(10 January 2000)

According to the information available to the Commission, it is currently not possible to obtain reliable
quantitative data on the amount of medicinal products which are sold via the internet in the Community.

On all other points raised by the Honourable Member, the Commission would refer to the answer to
written question E-1852/99 by Mr Valdivielso de Cue (1) on the sale of medicinal products via Internet.

(1) OJ C 203 E, 18.7.2000, p. 69.