Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

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# 91997E0653

**WRITTEN QUESTION No. 653/97 by Felipe CAMISÓN ASENSIO to the Commission. Health and mobile telephones** 
  
*Official Journal C 391 , 23/12/1997 P. 0023*

  

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0653/97 by Felipe Camisón Asensio (PPE) to the Commission (6 March 1997)

Subject: Health and mobile telephones

What facts have prompted the Commission to draw up a plan with a view to intensifying research into the ways in which health may be affected by mobile telephones?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (25 April 1997)

There has been public debate about the possible health effects of using mobile phones. From time to time, this debate is fed by media attention, in particular in the United States of America but increasingly in Europe as well, and by the publication of results of research work which is often fragmented. The green paper on a common approach in the field of mobile and personal telecommunications ((COM(94) 145. )) therefore proposed further research into the possible health effects related to the use of mobile phones. This need for further research was confirmed during the consultation on the green paper.

Hence, the Commission decided on 5 October 1995 to request a multi-disciplinary group of independent experts to investigate whether the use of mobile phones may cause any health risk and to make any appropriate proposals for further research in this area. In September 1996, the group reported that the available studies and existing literature give no evidence of any increased health risk. However, the group also concluded that data are sparse and insufficient to draw firm conclusions and confirmed that further research is necessary in particular into the a-thermal effects. The group recommended a framework for a research programme that would run over five years.

The Commission is currently considering details of a future research programme in this field.

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