WRITTEN QUESTION E-2389/02 by Kathleen Van Brempt (PSE) to the Commission. CT scans on children.
Date: 2002-08-02
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: child, health legislation, health risk, ionising radiation, medical diagnosis, nuclear medicine, public health, therapeutics

6.2.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 28 E/229

Publishers interviewed considered that the relatively low levels of cross-border circulation are the results of
poor economics of cross-border sales, rather than the effect of trade barriers. In particular, there are
additional transport and handling costs, which can represent an additional cost of 5-15 %. There are also
higher levels of unsold copies in the case of cross-border sales, which further adds to the poor economics
of cross-border sales. Although publishers are keen on cross-border circulation as a means of raising the
image of the publication, both with readers and advertisers, cross-border sales are generally not very
profitable for the reasons indicated above.

(2003/C 28 E/259)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2389/02

by Kathleen Van Brempt (PSE) to the Commission

(2 August 2002)

Subject: CT scans on children

Belgian hospitals make a great deal of use of ‘nuclear’ diagnostics. Ionising radiation is used in medicine
both for diagnosis and therapy. Radiology, which makes use of x-rays, and nuclear medicine, in which the
patient takes a radioactive preparation, are still the most powerful diagnostic tools. In a recent report the
UN predicts that the use of ionising radiation in diagnostics and therapy will increase still further in years
to come.

The problem, however, is that children who undergo a CT (computer tomography) scan often receive a
higher dose of radiation than necessary, partly because most scanners are ‘set’ for adults and not adjusted.
Doctors are not always aware of this. This is a problem, because children are more sensitive to ionising
radiation than adults. They run between twice and 10 times the risk of contracting cancer and may suffer
development problems.

Should Europe not drastically reduce this kind of therapy?

What measures does the Commission propose to take to this end?

What measures are being taken to protect children better against excessive doses of radiation?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(24 September 2002)

The introduction of computer tomography (CT) has brought undoubted benefits for diagnosis and health
care in general. Nonetheless, the procedure may involve significant individual doses, which need to be
minimised consistently with obtaining the required diagnostic information. A fundamental requirement of
radiation protection is to ensure that any practice (such as a CT scan) is justified (ie, the benefits of the
procedure must outweigh any detriment) and optimised (ie, the radiation doses must be reduced to as low
as reasonably achievable). The newly revised Council Directive 97/43/Euratom of 30 June 1997 on health
protection of individuals against the dangers of ionizing radiation in relation to medical exposure, and
repealing Directive 84/466/Euratom (1), includes specific requirements on quality assurance and patient
dose assessment in CT and special practices involving children ensuring that the use of CT scans on infants
is carefully justified and optimised.

Justification implies avoiding unnecessary exposures and considering other imaging modalities such as
ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging. In deciding whether to use a CT scan or other imaging tools
on a child, the judgement of the physician is paramount.

C 28 E/230

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.2.2003

When children receive CT scans, Member States have to ensure that appropriate equipment and special
imaging techniques are used,
is operated properly, and specially trained radiologists
supervise and interpret the CT scans, so that paediatric patients are not exposed to more radiation than
they should be.

the equipment

The Commission will continue to ensure that the new Directive is appropriately implemented in the
Member States.

The Commission will actively support a number of activities within Europe ensuring that information on
new observations with potential implications for current use of CT-scans on infants is available to the
relevant physicians and parents.

The Commission has funded research under its 4th and 5th Framework Programmes on quality criteria
and dose reduction in CT and paediatric radiology. This topic will remain an important priority in the 6th
Framework Programme, which is about to be launched.

In addition, the Commission has published ‘Referral guidelines for imaging’ (2), including a chapter on
paediatric imaging aiming to minimise X-ray irradiation in children, specially those with long term
problems.

(1) OJ L 180, 9.7.1997.
(2)

ISBN: 92-828-9454-1- http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/radprot/118/118.htm.

(2003/C 28 E/260)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2390/02

by Kathleen Van Brempt (PSE) to the Commission

(2 August 2002)

Subject: Study on older drivers

A project is currently under way in the EU under the name of Agile, investigating the effect of age on
driving ability. The study is expected to be completed by about 2005. It proposes to map the cognitive
and physical problems of older drivers, the effect of age on their driving behaviour, and the kinds of
accidents they are involved in.

Is the Commission aware of this study?

If so, what is the aim of this study?

Is the Commission considering an age restriction for driving licences?

Does the Commission not consider that this kind of study stigmatises older people?

Is this study not primarily in the interests of the insurance industry, which likes to make distinctions
between drivers (cid:1) thinking for example of the bonus/penalty system in Belgium, which has recently been
banned by European law?

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(23 September 2002)

AGILE (QLRT-CT-2002-00118) is a research project conducted by the National Center for Research and
Technology Hellas (CERTH) and the Hellenic Institute of
(HIT), and cofinanced by the
Commission under the ‘Quality of Life Programme’, key action ‘The Ageing Population and their
Disabilities’ of the 5th Framework programme for Research and Technological Development. It started in
April 2002 and results will be presented within three years time.

transport

The aim of the project is to develop a new set of training, information, counselling and driving ability
assessment and support
full range of physical, cognitive,
behavioural and interaction abilities,
inclusive and cost-effective, standardised, pan-
European elderly drivers assessment procedure.

tools for older people, evaluating their
targeting a fair,