WRITTEN QUESTION E-2296/02 by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Ban on imports of candles with lead-treated wicks which cause health dangers, especially for children and low-paid people.
Date: 2002-07-25
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: United States, consumer goods, decorative item, exchange of information, lead, metal pollution, product safety, public health, scientific committee (EU), toxic substance

C 28 E/216

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.2.2003

the measure for

In relation to support for the establishment of small local abattoirs, within the framework of the structural
funds programme for the Highlands and Islands under Objective 1, Community funding may be granted to
improving processing and marketing of agricultural products
investments under
(Articles 25-28 of 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)). The objectives of
this measure, among others, are to improve or
rationalise marketing channels or processing procedures, to improve and monitor quality and health
conditions, and to encourage the development of new outlets for agricultural products. In drawing up the
programme the regional partnership established additional objectives including adding greater value to
locally sourced raw materials and to encourage investments which create and retain employment within
the region.

However, while the Commission has approved the programme in question,
the responsibility for
implementing the measures and for the selection of projects to be funded remains entirely in the hands
of the Scottish authorities.

(1) OJ P 121, 29.7.1964.
(2) OJ L 160, 26.6.1999.

(2003/C 28 E/246)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2296/02

by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(25 July 2002)

Subject: Ban on imports of candles with lead-treated wicks which cause health dangers, especially for

children and low-paid people

Is the Commission aware of the report carried on page 15 of ‘New Scientist’ dated 22 June 2002,

1.
concerning possible health risks from candles with lead-treated wicks?

2. Why has the import of candles containing lead, many of which are made in the Far East, not been
restricted when, according to this report, lead is no longer used in the wicks of candles manufactured in
the European Union?

Is the Commission aware that researchers have detected levels of lead particles in air after the

3.
burning of certain brands of candle which are thirteen times higher than the recognised safety limit?

4.
Can it confirm that children are particularly at risk, since such levels of lead exposure can cause brain
damage, and that people on low incomes are most in danger of exposure because leaded candles are
cheaper?

5. Will the Commission join the US Consumer Product Safety Commission in considering a ban on the
marketing of leaded candles, whether from imported or domestic sources?

6.

If not, what alternative measures does the Commission plan to take to avoid future problems?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(15 October 2002)

The Commission is aware of the potentially harmful effects of lead and its compounds to human health
and in particular of the latest indications of possible health risks from lead-treated wicks.

The Commission shares the concerns expressed by the Honourable Member and is considering an overall
approach to the issue of risks to health and the environment from lead-containing products.

6.2.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 28 E/217

In order to assess the general health and environmental risks of lead, the Commission had requested the
views of the Scientific Committee on Toxicity, Ecotoxicity and the Environment (CSTEE).

In its opinion of 5 May 2000, the CSTEE expressed the views that exposure of humans to lead levels that
may surpass the safety limit may come from a variety of sources (air, soil, water and food, products) and
via a variety of routes (inhalation, oral, etc). The CSTEE identified emissions from leaded petrol
combustion, paints, lead shot ammunition, lead water pipes as the major, but not the only, sources of
lead contamination which could eventually lead to exposure of humans. Children were identified as
particularly sensitive to the effects of lead even at exposure levels that are at or below the safety threshold.
At the same time the CSTEE recognised that exposure of humans to lead in the Community is declining,
mainly due to the decline in the use of leaded petrol. It also urged the Commission to carry out additional
work to identify additional uses of lead in products that may contribute to the overall exposure to lead and
to assess the potential risks.

In response to the CSTEE request, the Commission commissioned a study to identify and assess the risks to
human health and the environment related to the use of lead in products. The study has just been
completed and has identified a wide range of applications of lead that could contribute to the overall
exposure. The results of the study have been submitted to the CSTEE for critical review.

This study did not identify lead-treated wicks as a source of exposure to lead in the Community. However,
the Commission has been informed recently through its regular contacts with the United States Consumer
Product Safety Committee (US CPSC) of the results of the latest investigations on the potential health risks
associated with lead treated candle wicks. Low-income adults who tend to buy and use more the cheaper
candles with lead-treaded wicks and children of families that use candles with lead-treated wicks were
identified as the two high exposure population sub-groups.

According to the latest information received from the US CPSC and mentioned in the 22 June 2002 report
of the ‘New Scientist’ magazine, the amount of lead particles released when candles with lead-treated wicks
burn for a long period of time (four hours per day over 15-30 days) can result in blood lead levels above
the recognised safety limit.

The Commission has requested all pertinent information from the US CPSC in order to submit it for
review to the CSTEE so that the Committee can include this particular exposure situation in its overall
assessment of potential risks associated with the use of lead in various products. On the basis of the CSTEE
opinion, the Commission will in due time propose appropriate risk reduction measures for those uses that
are found to result in exposures of concern.

(2003/C 28 E/247)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2298/02

by Laura González Álvarez (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(25 July 2002)

Subject: Aggregate grinding plant in the industrial zone of Entrevias (Tarragon, Spain)

The company Cementos Esfera S.A. has set up an aggregate grinding plant for the manufacture of cement
in the industrial zone of Entrevias (Tarragon, Spain), a densely populated area, where there are two nursery
schools and a number of State schools, and barely 300 metres from housing. A petition bearing more than
16 000 signatures opposes the plant’s location on the planned site (with a licence for 240 000 tonnes/year
and a production capacity of 1 100 000 tonnes/year) in view of potential pollution and damage to health.

Does the Commission already know about the plant?