WRITTEN QUESTION E-2336/99 by Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Council. Potentially fatal health hazards arising from exposure to radiation from mobile telephones.
24. 10. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 303 E/49 any information to the effect that in certain cases the rules applied are incompatible with Community rules, she may forward it to the Commission, which will initiate the required procedures. Article 5(2), first sentence, of Directive 85/73/EEC states that áno direct or indirect refund of the fees provided for in this Directive shall be permittedí. The Commission will contact the German authorities in order to obtain information on the DEM 150 000 reduction granted, according to the Honourable Member, in one German Land. (2000/C 303 E/043) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2336/99 by Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Council (13 December 1999) Subject: Potentially fatal health hazards arising from exposure to 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 Council telephones and the protection of public health in general? launch with a view to ensuring the safe use of mobile Reply (10/11 April 2000) The Council, on the basis of a proposal from the Commission and after consulting the European Parliament, adopted on 12 July 1999 a Recommendation on the limitation of exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields (0 Hz to 300 GHz) (1) which aims to provide a Community framework with regard to exposure to electromagnetic fields, with the objective of protecting the public. The Recommendation, which is based solely on established scientific effects, comprises basic restrictions and reference levels which apply to all radiation emitted by electromagnetic fields emanating from electric appliances, including mobile telephones. It is based on advice from the International Commission on Non- Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and endorsed by the Commissionís Scientific Steering Committee. Concerning, more specifically, the long term-effects to which the Honourable Member refers, the Council has invited the Commission to encourage research on the short and long-term effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields at all relevant frequencies as part of the implementation of the current framework programme of research and to keep the matters covered by this Recommendation under review, with a view to its revision and updating, taking into account also possible effects which are currently the subject of research, including relevant aspects of precaution. The Council, aware of the issues at stake for public health, and in the light of the fact that at international level it has not been proven that such exposure, including from the use of mobile telephones, might cause the development of cancer, has asked the Commission to keep a very open attitude towards ongoing and future research in this area. (1) OJ L 199, 30. 7. 1999, p. 59