WRITTEN QUESTION E-2337/99 by Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Commission. Potentially fatal health hazards arising from exposure to microwave radiation from mobile telephones.
Date: 1999-12-13
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: cancer, health policy, health risk, medical research, mobile phone, non-ionising radiation, public health, quality of life, trauma

8.8.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 225 E/107

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(11 January 2000)

1.
The Commission has always accorded particular attention to nuclear safety in the context of
enlargement. This area will be subject to continued scrutiny and supportive action by the Commission in
the pre-accession period. The Commission has entered into close co-operation with the safety authorities
of the candidate countries in order to strengthen their resources and their independence and thereby to
further extend the nuclear safety culture which has developed within the Community.

2.
The Commission(cid:146)s policy on these issues is clearly outlined in Agenda 2000 of July 1997, where the
reactors of the nuclear power plants in the candidate countries are divided into three categories: reactors of
Western design, Soviet-designed plants which can be upgraded to meet international safety standards, and
Soviet-designed units which can not be upgraded at a reasonable cost. The Commission has repeatedly
stated that the third category nuclear power plants operating in candidate countries should be closed at
earliest practical dates, in the framework of a comprehensive energy strategy. This applies to Bohunice
V-1 in Slovakia and to the Ignalina nuclear power plant (NPP) in Lithuania, as well as to units 1-4 of the
Kozloduy NPP in Bulgaria.

The Commission has had intense and fruitful discussions on this issue with the authorities of the
3.
candidate countries.
In the second regular reports on progress of candidates toward accession of
13 October 1999, the Commission welcomed the decisions of the Lithuanian and Slovak authorities on
early closure of the Ignalina and Bohunice V-1 reactors. The Commission also welcomes the recent
understanding with Bulgaria with regard to early closure of Kozloduy 1-4. The Commission regards these
decisions as an expression of the countries(cid:146) commitment to integration and as an important contribution
to nuclear safety in Europe. The Commission will certainly continue the dialogue on this issue with the
authorities concerned.

4.
The Lithuanian safety authority ensures on a regular basis that the operator of the nuclear reactors
implements the safety provisions of the safety improvement programme. Granting of operation permits is
conditional on the results of these safety revisions, the safety evaluation reports. The Commission supports
the Lithuanian safety authority and its work with resources from the PHARE programme.

(2000/C 225 E/109)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2337/99

by Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Commission

(13 December 1999)

Subject: Potentially fatal health hazards arising from exposure to microwave radiation from mobile

telephones

Recent research by Swedish scientists and other public health experts have shown that exposure to
radiation from the use of mobile telephones causes serious damage to the human organism for example
the development of carcinogenic tumours on the brain and the acoustic nerve, together with functional
genetic disorders.

What measures and policies will the Commission launch with a view to ensuring the safe use of mobile
telephones and the protection of public health in general?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(17 January 2000)

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 a 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.

C 225 E/108

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

8.8.2000

On 12 July 1999, the Council adopted a Recommendation 1999/519/EC (2) proposed by the Commission
on the limitation of exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields. This takes account of the
scientific opinion of the International commission on non-ionizing radiation, supported by the Commis-
sion(cid:146)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.

If there is any adverse health effect,
it can only be a longer term effect, which is as yet unknown.
Therefore, research should further continue to measure such longer term effects. The results of current 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 5th Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstra-
tion, the programme on (cid:145)Quality of Life and Management of living resources(cid:146) foresees in its key action
4 (cid:145)Environment and Health (cid:146) 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 pro-
gramme (3)). Several projects issued from the first call of this programme will soon be launched.

(1) OJ L 91, 7.4.1999.
(2) OJ L 199, 30.7.1999.
(3) Commission decision C/99/493 of 4 March 1999.

(2000/C 225 E/110)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2341/99

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Reopening of the oncological hospital in Kifisia

(13 December 1999)

As a result of earthquake damage to the (cid:145)Agioi Anagyroi(cid:146) hospital, 2 500 cancer patients currently
undergoing treatment which can be neither delayed nor interrupted, are now unable to obtain their
treatment, while at the same time there are waiting lists for admission to other oncological hospitals.

The solution proposed by the Greek Government involving the transfer of individual hospital wards or the
closure and dispersal of hospital wards and laboratories to non-hospital premises will not, in the opinion
of the hospital(cid:146)s Scientific Committee, enable patients to continue their treatment effectively. It therefore
proposed that the hospital be redeployed to suitable available premises belonging to named hospitals
which have agreed to this solution.

Can the Commission indicate whether funding can be provided for the temporary redeployment of the
hospital in accordance with the recommendations of the Scientific Committee, pending completion of the
new hospital building?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(20 January 2000)

The Commission could consider part-financing the dispersal or provisional relocation of the Kifisia cancer
hospital
if the Greek authorities so request and on the basis of detailed information on the type of
expenditure. The choice of the solution to be proposed is the sole responsibility of the national authorities.