WRITTEN QUESTION E-2337/99 by Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Commission. Potentially fatal health hazards arising from exposure to microwave radiation from mobile telephones.
8. 8. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 225 E/107 Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission (11 January 2000) 1. The Commission has always accorded particular attention to nuclear safety in the context of enlargement. This area will be subject to continued scrutiny and supportive action by the Commission in the pre-accession period. The Commission has entered into close co-operation with the safety authorities of the candidate countries in order to strengthen their resources and their independence and thereby to further extend the nuclear safety culture which has developed within the Community. 2. The Commissionís policy on these issues is clearly outlined in Agenda 2000 of July 1997, where the reactors of the nuclear power plants in the candidate countries are divided into three categories: reactors of Western design, Soviet-designed plants which can be upgraded to meet international safety standards, and Soviet-designed units which can not be upgraded at a reasonable cost. The Commission has repeatedly stated that the third category nuclear power plants operating in candidate countries should be closed at earliest practical dates, in the framework of a comprehensive energy strategy. This applies to Bohunice V-1 in Slovakia and to the Ignalina nuclear power plant (NPP) in Lithuania, as well as to units 1-4 of the Kozloduy NPP in Bulgaria. The Commission has had intense and fruitful discussions on this issue with the authorities of the 3. candidate countries. In the second regular reports on progress of candidates toward accession of 13 October 1999, the Commission welcomed the decisions of the Lithuanian and Slovak authorities on early closure of the Ignalina and Bohunice V-1 reactors. The Commission also welcomes the recent understanding with Bulgaria with regard to early closure of Kozloduy 1-4. The Commission regards these decisions as an expression of the countriesí commitment to integration and as an important contribution to nuclear safety in Europe. The Commission will certainly continue the dialogue on this issue with the authorities concerned. 4. The Lithuanian safety authority ensures on a regular basis that the operator of the nuclear reactors implements the safety provisions of the safety improvement programme. Granting of operation permits is conditional on the results of these safety revisions, the safety evaluation reports. The Commission supports the Lithuanian safety authority and its work with resources from the PHARE programme. (2000/C 225 E/109) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2337/99 by Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Commission (13 December 1999) Subject: Potentially fatal health hazards arising from exposure to microwave radiation from mobile telephones Recent research by Swedish scientists and other public health experts have shown that exposure to radiation from the use of mobile telephones causes serious damage to the human organism for example the development of carcinogenic tumours on the brain and the acoustic nerve, together with functional genetic disorders. What measures and policies will the Commission launch with a view to ensuring the safe use of mobile telephones and the protection of public health in general? Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission (17 January 2000) The Commission has taken due note of concerns on possible harmful effects on health of electromagnetic fields. On 9 March 1999, the Council and the Parliament adopted a Directive 1999/5/EC on radio equipment and telecommunications terminal equipment and the mutual recognition of their conformity (1). This lays down the requirements that radio transmitters need to meet in order to be placed on the market and be operated. It envisages that Member States may restrict operation for health reasons, e. g. by imposing certain minimum distances between the transmitter and the public. C 225 E/108 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 8. 8. 2000 On 12 July 1999, the Council adopted a Recommendation 1999/519/EC (2) proposed by the Commission on the limitation of exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields. This takes account of the scientific opinion of the International commission on non-ionizing radiation, supported by the Commis- sionís scientific steering committee referring to established effects on human health of exposure to electromagnetic fields. In this context, it should be noted that the extensive research done in Europe through the co-ordinated action of the COST 244 and 244bis projects over the last decade has not demonstrated any reproducible detrimental effects on health at the levels of radio-frequency emissions typical of mobile phones and cell masts. If there is any adverse health effect, it can only be a longer term effect, which is as yet unknown. Therefore, research should further continue to measure such longer term effects. The results of current and future research in this area will be considered in the context of the reporting procedure provided for in the text of the Recommendation. In the context of the 5th Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstra- tion, the programme on Quality of Life and Management of living resourcesí foresees in its key action 4 Environment and Health í specific research on the health effects of electromagnetic radiation and in particular epidemiological and biomedical studies to determine possible effects linked to non-ionising radiation, particularly from cellular phones and antennas (point 2 of the quality of life work pro- gramme (3)). Several projects issued from the first call of this programme will soon be launched. (1) OJ L 91, 7. 4. 1999. (2) OJ L 199, 30. 7. 1999. (3) Commission decision C/99/493 of 4 March 1999. (2000/C 225 E/110) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2341/99 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission Subject: Reopening of the oncological hospital in Kifisia (13 December 1999) As a result of earthquake damage to the Agioi Anagyroií hospital, 2 500 cancer patients currently undergoing treatment which can be neither delayed nor interrupted, are now unable to obtain their treatment, while at the same time there are waiting lists for admission to other oncological hospitals. The solution proposed by the Greek Government involving the transfer of individual hospital wards or the closure and dispersal of hospital wards and laboratories to non-hospital premises will not, in the opinion of the hospitalís Scientific Committee, enable patients to continue their treatment effectively. It therefore proposed that the hospital be redeployed to suitable available premises belonging to named hospitals which have agreed to this solution. Can the Commission indicate whether funding can be provided for the temporary redeployment of the hospital in accordance with the recommendations of the Scientific Committee, pending completion of the new hospital building? Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission (20 January 2000) The Commission could consider part-financing the dispersal or provisional relocation of the Kifisia cancer hospital if the Greek authorities so request and on the basis of detailed information on the type of expenditure. The choice of the solution to be proposed is the sole responsibility of the national authorities