WRITTEN QUESTION P-4131/00 by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Atmospheric pollution in Athens.
Date: 2001-01-09
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU environmental policy, Greece, environmental monitoring, environmental standard, ozone, public health, quality of the environment, stratospheric pollution

C 187 E/142

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

3.7.2001

The Commission recognises that the use of hydrogen with fuel cells could offer environmental benefits as
well as contribute to the security of energy supply. However, the magnitude of those benefits largely
depends on how the hydrogen is produced, distributed, stored and used. Today, many equipment and
vehicles manufacturers and oil companies as well are currently carrying out research projects within this
field (cid:129) some of them concentrating on the development of fuel cells, others on the direct use of hydrogen
as a possible alternative fuel.

The Fifth research and development framework programme (FP5) (1999-2002), concentrates an important
part of the Non-Nuclear Energy Programme (Energie) on support to research, development and demonstra-
tion (RTD) of hydrogen, especially in combination with the use of fuel cells. Until now, the Community
support in FP5 has already exceeded € 59 million allocated to RTD on fuel cell systems, fuel processors,
hydrogen storage, hydrogen fuelled fuel cell vehicles, and to large projects in heat and power generation
and clean urban transport, including the use of hydrogen as a possible fuel in combination with fuel cells.

The Energie programme continues to actively stimulate RTD effort on fuel cells and hydrogen technologies
as well as including socio-economic studies, pre-normative research to develop standards and safety norms,
and training. The action addresses fuel cells, reformers and hydrogen technologies aiming at a cost
reduction with lower CO2 and pollutant emissions. RTD addresses components, systems, multifuel
capability and fuel flexibility. For transport, the fuel choice including hydrogen is addressed focusing on
cost, emissions, safety and re-fuelling infrastructure.

In order to set up a possible European strategy in the field of alternative/renewable fuels for the transport
sector, the Commission also intends to launch a study on future possible concepts of vehicle technology/
fuels, benefits and shortcomings of those different concepts and possible long term and intermediate
introduction strategies. It is expected that the use of hydrogen and the development of fuel cell technology
will be a central focus of this study, although it is not limited to that type of fuel. Discussions are planned
to take place with the Member States and with non-governmental organisations on possible actions at
a Community level. This discussion will of course include possible support of on-going and new local
activities.

(2001/C 187 E/151)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-4131/00

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(9 January 2001)

Subject: Atmospheric pollution in Athens

According to the latest report by the Environment Directorate of the Ministry for the Environment,
Regional Planning and Public Works in Greece, ozone levels in the Athens area were above the permissible
limits for a total of 75 days between April and October 2000.

1. What data does the Commission have available on this specific matter (ozone levels) and, in more
general terms, on atmospheric pollution in the Athens area?

2. What are the apparent problems in Athens with atmospheric pollution from the point of view of
compliance with Community legislation?

3.

In the Commission(cid:146)s estimation, what are the possible implications for public health?

3.7.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 187 E/143

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

(28 February 2001)

Monitoring data on atmospheric pollution are regularly forwarded by Greece under the 97/101/EC Council
Decision of 27 January 1997 establishing a reciprocal exchange of information and data from networks
and individual stations measuring ambient air pollution within the Member States (1).

Additional data from short term campaigns and air quality modelling are also available to the Commission.
Concerning sulphur emissions (SO2), suspended particles, lead and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) the current limit
values as set out in Council Directive 80/779/EEC of 15 July 1980 on air quality limit values and guide
values for sulphur dioxide and suspended particulates (2), Council Directive 82/884/EEC of 3 December
1982 on a limit value for lead in the air (3) and Council Directive 85/203/EEC of 7 March 1985 on air
quality standards for nitrogen dioxide (4), respectively, are not exceeded.

Legally non-binding threshold values for ozone are laid down in Council Directive 92/72/EEC of
21 September 1992 on air pollution by ozone (5). The Commission is aware that these thresholds are
frequently exceeded in the Greater Athens area. Exceedence of an ozone concentration of 120 µg/m3 may
lead to respiratory problems of particularly sensitive population groups. The general population was found
to experience such adverse effects from ozone concentrations of more than 240 µg/m3. According to
current scientific knowledge adverse health effects due to SO2, NO2, particulate matter and lead may
already occur if the current limit values are not exceeded.

The latest Community legislation, Council Directive 96/62/EC of 27 September 1996 on ambient air
quality assessment and management (6),
i.e. the Air Quality Framework Directive, as well as existing
(Council Directive 1999/30/EC of 22 April 1999 relating to limit values for sulphur dioxide, nitrogen
dioxide and oxides of nitrogen, particulate matter and lead in ambient air (7), Directive 2000/69/EC of the
Parliament and of the Council of 16 November 2000 relating to limit values for benzene and carbon
monoxide in ambient air (8)) and upcoming daughter Directives, will improve the protection of human
health by setting more stringent limit and target values. Corresponding monitoring requirements will
provide the public and the Commission with better information on air quality. From studies performed
under the Autoil II programme it is to be expected that additional, and in particular local measures will be
necessary to meet these objectives in the Athens area.

(1) OJ L 35, 5.2.1997.
(2) OJ L 229, 30.8.1980.
(3) OJ L 378, 31.12.1982.
(4) OJ L 87, 27.3.1985.
(5) OJ L 297, 13.10.1992.
(6) OJ L 296, 21.11.1996.
(7) OJ L 163, 29.6.1999.
(8) OJ L 313, 13.12.2000.

(2001/C 187 E/152)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4133/00

by Rainer Wieland (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(16 January 2001)

Subject: Right of an Israeli national to play in German handball leagues

Does the Commission share the legal opinion that Israeli nationals are to be treated in the same way as EU
citizens in German handball leagues in terms of their ability to participate with the result that their players(cid:146)
passes do not need to be stamped with the letter A in accordance with Section 15 of the DHB(cid:146)s match
rules?