Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

[**Avis juridique important**](../../../editorial/legal_notice.htm)

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# 91997E1593

**WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1593/97 by Susan WADDINGTON to the Commission. Telecommunications base stations - risk to public health** 
  
*Official Journal C 391 , 23/12/1997 P. 0105*

  

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1593/97 by Susan Waddington (PSE) to the Commission (6 May 1997)

Subject: Telecommunications base stations - risk to public health

There is growing public concern about the possible health risk implications of the proliferating number of telecommunications base station antennae that are being erected across Europe by mobile phone operators.

Is the Commission aware of such concerns, and can it provide any factual scientific evidence on such possible health risks?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (19 June 1997)

The Commission is well aware of the public concern about possible health risks related to the use of mobile telephony. To that end, the Commission requested in October 1995 a multi-disciplinary group of independent experts to investigate whether the use of mobile telephony (mobile phones and base stations) causes any health risk and to make appropriate proposals for further research in this area.

In September 1996, the group reported that the currently available studies and existing literature give no evidence of any increased health risk. But the expert group also concluded that data are sparse and insufficient to draw firm conclusions and that further research is necessary. The group recommended a framework for research on this project that would run over five years.

The Commission is currently considering the possibilities for future research in this area, in the light of its proposals for a fifth framework programme. The possibilities for collaboration with other countries outside Europe are also being explored as is the possible role of the World health organisation for health risk assessment.

The Honourable Member is also referred to the recent answer to question E-653/97 ((See page 23. )) by M. Camison Asensio.

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