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Document 92002E000851
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0851/02 by Maurizio Turco (NI) to the Commission. Euro: quantities of nickel and tributyl tin (TBT) used in the production of coins and banknotes, and their effects on human health.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0851/02 by Maurizio Turco (NI) to the Commission. Euro: quantities of nickel and tributyl tin (TBT) used in the production of coins and banknotes, and their effects on human health.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0851/02 by Maurizio Turco (NI) to the Commission. Euro: quantities of nickel and tributyl tin (TBT) used in the production of coins and banknotes, and their effects on human health.
OJ C 28E, 6.2.2003, pp. 54–55
(ES, DA, DE, EL, EN, FR, IT, NL, PT, FI, SV)
92002E0851
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0851/02 by Maurizio Turco (NI) to the Commission. Euro: quantities of nickel and tributyl tin (TBT) used in the production of coins and banknotes, and their effects on human health.
Official Journal 028 E , 06/02/2003 P. 0054 - 0055
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0851/02 by Maurizio Turco (NI) to the Commission (27 March 2002) Subject: Euro: quantities of nickel and tributyl tin (TBT) used in the production of coins and banknotes, and their effects on human health Given that the 1 and 2 euro coins contain nickel and that tributyl tin (TBT) is used as a colour stabiliser in the production of banknotes, can the Commission say whether: - the quantity of nickel used in the 1 and 2 euro coins could constitute a health hazard? Did the Commission carry out research or seek scientific advice before the coins were minted? - TBT has been used in the production of banknotes, and if so, of what denomination? Could the quantities used constitute a health hazard? Did the Commission carry out research or seek scientific advice before the banknotes were put into production? - the 1 and 2 euro coins could have been produced using a less toxic material than nickel, and a less toxic colour stabiliser than TBT could have been used for the banknotes? Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission (28 May 2002) Before the production of the euro coins the Commission did undertake scientific research on the issue, and no conclusive scientific evidence was found against the use of nickel. The nickel used in 1-euro and 2-euro coins is essentially contained inside the alloy, thus skin contact with nickel is limited. The presence of nickel is necessary to implement techniques minimising the risk of counterfeiting. Since 1 and 2 euro coins demand a particularly high level of security, nickel is needed in the production of these high-quality coins. Nevertheless, the rate of coins that contain nickel is currently considerably smaller than with the previous national coins (14 % of euro coins contain nickel as opposed to 75 % of the national coins that were in circulation). The decision on the technical specifications of the banknotes was taken by the European Monetary Institute (EMI), and the matter is presently of the competence of the European Central Bank (ECB).