WRITTEN QUESTION E-1594/00 by Pere Esteve (ELDR) to the Commission. Use of mercury in medical appliances.
Date: 2000-05-23
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European social policy, dangerous substance, medical device

20.2.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 53 E/169

(2001/C 53 E/219)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1594/00

by Pere Esteve (ELDR) to the Commission

(23 May 2000)

Subject: Use of mercury in medical appliances

Community legislation, and more specifically Directive 93/42/EEC concerning medical devices (subse-
quently amended by Directive 98/79/EC), do not address the issue of the use of mercury in medical
appliances.

Given that mercury is a hazardous substance, does the Commission intend to take measures of any kind to
regulate its use in appliances such as thermometers and sphygmomanometers, which are used in medical
centres, hospitals and elsewhere?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(4 July 2000)

The main current restrictions on mercury, which are confined to mercury compounds, were introduced by
Council Directive 89/677/EE of 21 December 1989 amending, for the eighth time, 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 (1). These restrictions do not cover, at the moment, the use of mercury in medical appliances.

However, the Commission is at present examining, through an independent study, the risks to health and
the environment of mercury in products, including thermometers. This study will be available at the end of
2000. This could lead to a proposal forseen for 2001, to modify the present rules contained in Directive
76/769/EEC, as far as mercury and mercury compounds are concerned.

(1) OJ L 398, 30.12.1989.

(2001/C 53 E/220)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1598/00

by Armando Cossutta (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(19 May 2000)

Subject: Female genital mutilation

Research undertaken by the preventive medicine service of the San Gallicano hospital for migrants in
Rome has given a general picture of the practice of female genital mutilation in Italy. Today there are
40 000 women living in Italy who have been subjected to this practice. Some 5 000 girls, the daughters of
immigrants, are likely to undergo this operation, which is generally performed at the age of six. In the
countries of origin, notably Egypt and Eritrea, these operations are performed under unhygienic conditions,
causing very serious side-effects which frequently have to be treated by Italian doctors when the women
concerned move to Italy.

On the basis of 20 years(cid:146) experience, Italian doctors have concluded that this is essentially a cultural
phenomenon. In some cases doctors have discussed the issue patiently and respectfully with the women
concerned and succeeded in deterring them from mutilating their daughters.

Given that it is difficult to intervene directly in the countries of east Africa where this practice is
widespread, but bearing in mind that a growing number of African women are moving to Europe:

1. Could the Commission fund studies and research into the extent of this phenomenon in European

countries?