WRITTEN QUESTION P-1049/01 by Pietro-Paolo Mennea (ELDR) to the Commission. Electromagnetic pollution in Barletta.
Date: 2001-03-26
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European standard, Italy, electromagnetic interference, health policy, health risk

13.11.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 318 E/193

(2001/C 318 E/211)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1049/01

by Pietro-Paolo Mennea (ELDR) to the Commission

(26 March 2001)

Subject: Electromagnetic pollution in Barletta

In a central area of the city of Barletta (Bari), in Via S. Antonio and Via Renato Coletta, there are two large-
scale electromagnetic installations: a radio mast placed on the flat roof of a block of
flats and
a telecommunications exchange located on the ground and mezzanine floors of another building.
Residents of these areas and all those living in Barletta have been justifiably alarmed by the presence of
these installations, which is worsening the serious electromagnetic pollution problem. Recently, the rise in
cases of tumours and leukaemia diagnosed, in particular, in those living in buildings in the area have
increased residents(cid:146) concerns.

The presence of pollution of this kind can easily be detected through malfunctions and interference in
televisions, compasses and other equipment disabled by the electromagnetic waves generated by the
installations. In some of the areas involved, the multi-area preventive health team from the Bari/4 local
health unit had already detected electromagnetic values which exceeded the safety limit laid down by law
by as much as six volts per metre. Power lines should be monitored over a wider area to ascertain levels of
electromagnetic pollution inside and outside homes. The devastating scourge of electromagnetic pollution
and the damage it causes to health and public safety is of international importance. A framework law on
protection from exposure to electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields was recently adopted in Italy.

In view of the above, will the Commission:

(cid:129) ascertain whether the electromagnetic waves produced by the above-mentioned installations cause

pollution levels exceeding the limits set down in the law, damaging public health?

(cid:129) ascertain whether, with regard to this case, the local municipal administration of Barletta and the
ministers responsible have begun monitoring the power lines in the area involved in order to check
whether levels of electromagnetic pollution inside and outside the relevant homes exceed safety limits?

(cid:129) say whether the police and legal bodies responsible have completed further proper and accurate
investigations, to ascertain whether there have been any irregularities and consequent liability on the
part of all those who have directly or indirectly caused this type of pollution?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(6 June 2001)

The Community regulatory framework on radio products and telecommunications in a competitive
environment makes Member States responsible for ensuring that radiation emitted by GSM base station
antennas do not expose the public to levels which might be hazardous. In particular article 3.1.a of
Directive 1999/5/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 1999 on radio equipment and
their conformity (1) obliges
telecommunications terminal equiment and the mutual
manufacturers to ensure, that their products do not affect the health when installed for its intended
purpose. Article 7.2 of this Directive furthermore allows Member States to regulate the installation of radio
transmitters so as to ensure that the health of the public is not affected. Under Article 9(2) of Directive 97/
33/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 30 June 1997 on interconnection in Telecommunications
with regard to ensuring universal service and interoperability through application of the principles of Open
Network Provision (ONP) (2) the national regulatory authority is further empowered to set out ex ante
conditions for installation of radio transmitters.

recognition of

The Community has provided further guidance to Member States to exercise its responsibility. On 12 July
1999 the Council recommended to Member States limits to be applied for exposure of the general public

C 318 E/194

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

13.11.2001

to electromagnetic fields (0 Herz (Hz) to 300 Gigaherz (GHz), 1999/519/EC: Council Recommendation of
12 July 1999 on the limitation of exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields (0 Hz to 300
GHz)) (3). The full respect of the basic restrictions and reference levels included in the Recommendation
will ensure users a high level of protection against acute and long-term effects of non-ionising radiation
emitted by such devices.

In parallel, the Commission has recently asked its Scientific Committee on Toxicity, Ecotoxicity and the
Environment to deliver an update of its previous opinion published in June 1998 on health risks associated
to electromagnetic fields regarding new technological developments and conditions of exposure. This will
be published in July 2001 and used, if necessary, to elaborate new Community legislative proposals in the
field.

The local implementation of those rules falls under the responsibility of local authorities and Member
States which should ensure that the protection objectives adopted by the legislator are respected in all
cases.

(1) OJ L 91, 7.4.1999.
(2) OJ L 199, 26.7.1997.
(3) OJ L 199, 30.7.1999.

(2001/C 318 E/212)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1055/01

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(5 April 2001)

Subject: Free movement of persons

Can the Commission indicate how the ban on women visiting Mount Athos fits in with European Union
treaties? What steps does it intend to take to remove this anomaly?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(11 June 2001)

The Joint Declaration concerning Mount Athos, annexed to the final act of the act of accession of the
Hellenic Republic to the Communities (1), recognises that the special status granted to Mount Athos is
justified exclusively on spiritual and religious grounds which the Community will take into account in the
application and subsequent preparation of provisions of Community law,
in particular in relation to
customs franchise privileges, tax exemptions and the right of establishment.

This Declaration was reaffirmed by both the Amsterdam Treaty (Declarations of which the Conference
took note (cid:129) Declaration by Greece on the status of churches and non-confessional organisations (2)) and
the final act of the Accession Agreement of the Hellenic Republic to the Convention implementing the
Schengen Agreement (3).

In view of these provisions, and since the total ban on women entering Mount Athos is a religion-based
tradition dating back over a thousand years, the Commission is not planning measures to lift the ban.

Incidentally, men, even if they have Greek nationality, must obtain authorisation from the authorities to
enter Mount Athos, which is an autonomous region of Greece.

(1) OJ L 291, 19.11.1979.
(2) OJ C 340, 10.11.1997.
(3) OJ L 239, 22.9.2000.