WRITTEN QUESTION E-2517/01 by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Excessive concentration of toxins in aquatic ecosystems.
Date: 2001-09-14
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Greece, drafting of EU law, drinking water, environmental standard, humid zone, public health, toxic substance, water pollution

C 134 E/38

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

6.6.2002

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(31 October 2001)

The Commission is aware of the press articles referred to by the Honourable Member.

the procedure provided for

Since the beginning of the year, the Commission has undertaken a full-scale examination of the project
under
in Article 24 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 4253/88 of
19 December 1988 laying down provisions for implementing Regulation (EEC) No 2052/88 as regards
coordination of the activities of the different Structural Funds between themselves and with the operations
of the European Investment Bank and the other existing financial instruments (1). Once that procedure has
been completed, the Commission will decide on any reduction in the Community assistance. It will be up
to the Greek authorities to apportion any responsibility in accordance with the national
laws and
administrative provisions in force.

(1) OJ L 374, 31.12.1988.

(2002/C 134 E/041)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2517/01

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(14 September 2001)

Subject: Excessive concentration of toxins in aquatic ecosystems

Research carried out at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki reveals that, during 1999-2000, 32 aquatic
ecosystems in Greece had concentrations of toxins above the limits set by the World Health Organisation
in nine lakes (Volvi, Doiran, Mikri Prespa, Vistonida, Amvrakia, Zazari, Kastoria, Ioannina).

Is the Commission aware of this situation and what action can be taken under Community law to

1.
tackle the problem?

2. What risks to public health are associated with excessive concentration of
ecosystems?

toxins in aquatic

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(29 October 2001)

1. With reference to the research carried out in Greek aquatic ecosystems, the Commission is aware of
water quality problems in Greece as far as eutrophication problems of Greek water bodies are well known.
However,
for which little
information is available, and studies are going on in several Member States for drinking or bathing waters.

the present question concerns toxic species (blue algae in fresh waters),

Under Community law, water quality problems are taken into account in several directives, such as the
Surface Water for Drinking Water Directive, the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, the Nitrates
Directive (1) and others. These Directives aim at a certain water quality as at the reduction of impacts on
water bodies, especially regarding nutrients and dangerous substances.

However, limit values for toxins are not laid down in existing Community-legislation, as the problem had
not been investigated and monitoring methods had not yet been developed at the time the Directives were
adopted.

6.6.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 134 E/39

The provisions of the above Directives can in this sense be regarded as ‘measures at source’ as they should
protect against phenomena such as bad water quality and eutrophication being the basis for negative
environmental effects e.g. occurrence of excessive concentration of algae toxins. These blue algae are
mainly favoured by inputs of phosphorus originating primarily from urban and industrial waste waters and
agriculture.

At present the Commission is in discussion with the Greek authorities on their review and ‘enlarging’ of
sensitive areas (under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive) and vulnerable zones (under the
Nitrates Directive). An improvement in this field would lead to more stringent provisions in endangered
areas and be a significant step forwards combating eutrophication and nitrates problems in surface waters
and groundwater bodies. This improvement of water quality, in general, would tackle the problem of high
concentration of toxins as well, as it occurs as a consequence of eutrophication.

In the Fifth Framework Programme of Research and Technological Development (1998-2002), an initiative
to build up a European wide network on the issue of algae toxins has already been started. Moreover, a
research project (Photox) on the development of a new technology for the photocatalytic destruction of
cyanotoxins has been launched. In this framework, after assessment of the problem at European level and
of the potential for exisiting and advanced technologies to monitor and remove cyanotoxins from water,
the Community could set up guidelines for measures on toxins in aquatic ecosystems and, if necessary,
limit values on toxins should be laid down in Community-legislation in the future.

is worth mentioning that

in the agri-environmental measure under the rural development plan
It
2000-2006 for Greece (Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 of 17 May 1999 on support for rural
development from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) and amending and
repealing certain Regulations (2)) a specific action is foreseen in some Natura 2000 areas of Northern
Greece, including Lakes Vistonida and Koronia, providing for low input farm management systems, aiming
at improving biodiversity. However, this action should be beneficial for the quality of water in these lakes
as well, since it will contribute to reducing pollution from farming.

2.
Risk to public health arises as soon as the limit values on toxins, as recommended by the World
Health Organisation (WHO) are exceeded (i. e. 1 microgram (µg)/Microcystin per liter (/l)). Microcystin is a
cell-toxin, which harms enzymatic activity. In human beings, liver cells are mainly affected. Covering the
average daily water consumption by water exceeding the above Microcystin limit values could lead to
acute poisoning (liver bleeding). By swimming in water polluted by excessive concentrations of toxins
mainly babies and children would be at risk.

In case of excessive concentrations of toxins, local authorities should take actions to minimise risks for
public health (no water abstraction for drinking water, information of the public, warning signs at place,
monitoring of waters with regard to toxins, …).

However, it also has to be mentioned that the occurrence of algae blooms of Cyanobacteria do not lead
systematically to high concentrations of toxins in any case as only certain species produce toxins. On the
other hand, how far other toxins with a significant public health risk might be produced by algae is not
well known at present.

(1) Council Directive 75/440/EEC of 16 June 1975 concerning the quality required of surface water intended for the
abstraction of drinking water in the Member States, OJ L 194, 25.7.1975Council Directive 91/271/EEC of 21 May
1991 concerning urban waste-water treatment, OJ L 135, 30.5.1991Council Directive 91/676/EEC of 12 December
1991 concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources, OJ L 375,
31.12.1991.

(2) OJ L 160, 26.6.1999.