WRITTEN QUESTION E-1463/00 by Jillian Evans (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Effects on health of hydrogen sulphide.
Date: 2000-05-10
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European social policy, health risk, waste management

C 103 E/12

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

3.4.2001

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(3 July 2000)

In the light of the concerns in relation to the cattle health problems reported in the Netherlands, the
Commission(cid:146)s food and veterinary office (FVO) carried out an on-the-spot inspection from 2 May 2000 (cid:129)
4 May 2000. A report on this inspection is currently being finalised and will then be submitted to the
standing veterinary committee for discussion. It will also be submitted to the Parliament and released on
the Internet in accordance with the normal practice. The Commission will take the appropriate follow-up
actions in the light of findings and recommendations in this report. The situation will also be kept under
review in the light of further developments in the identification of the causes underlying the problem.

(2001/C 103 E/011)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1463/00

by Jillian Evans (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(10 May 2000)

Subject: Effects on health of hydrogen sulphide

What information does the Commission have on the long term effects of exposure to hydrogen sulphide
gas from landfill sites on human health and in particular on the eyes and lungs? What measures if any
have been taken to minimise the risks of exposure?

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

(3 July 2000)

The characteristic smell of rotten egg produced by this gas and irritation of the nasal and olfactory
membranes are detectable at a concentration of 0,05 parts per million (ppm). Human toxicity occurs at a
concentration of 150 ppm (paralysis of
the olfactory nerve). A pulmonary oedema develops at a
concentration of 300 ppm with loss of consciousness shortly followed by death at a concentration of
500 ppm. Hydrogen sulphide is classified in the Community as extremely flammable, very toxic and
dangerous to the environment.

At present the treatment of waste is regulated by Council Directive 75/442/EEC of 15 July 1975 (1) as
amended by Council Directive 91/156/EEC of 18 March 1991 on waste (2), in particular by its Article 4,
which states that waste must be disposed of without endangering human health or the environment.

Council Directive 1999/31/EC of 26 April 1999 on the landfill of waste (3), which will become applicable
by 16 July 2001, lays down specific requirements for landfills. The overall objective of the Directive is to
prevent or reduce as far as possible negative effects on human health or the environment from the
landfilling of waste. Negative effects from landfilling arise mainly from emissions of landfill gas and
leachate into the surrounding environment. Landfill gas and leachate are produced by the degradation of
biodegradable waste under anaerobic conditions. To minimise such emissions, one of the Directive(cid:146)s main
objectives is for Member States to draw up strategies to reduce the amount of biodegradable waste going
to landfills. It also sets precise targets for the reduction of the amount of biodegradable municipal waste
going to landfills. To achieve these targets Member States will in particular have to increase recycling and
composting of biodegradable waste, the production of biogas and other forms of recovery. Furthermore,
the Directive provides that landfill gas must be collected from all landfills where biodegradable waste is
received and that the landfill gas must be treated and used. If the gas collected cannot be used to produce
energy, it must be flared.

(1) OJ L 194, 25.7.1975.
(2) OJ L 78, 26.3.1991.
(3) OJ L 182, 16.7.1999.