92003E0367

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0367/03

by Luciano Caveri (ELDR) to the Commission

(12 February 2003)

Subject: Electromagnetic pollution

There have been a series of studies on the phenomenon known as electromagnetic pollution or electrosmog. Can the Commission say what its latest views are on the subject and whether there are any legislative implications?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(25 April 2003)

As regard the limitation of the exposure of the general public to multiple sources emitting non-ionising radiations kown as electro-smog, the Commission is pleased to inform the Honourable Member on the measures taken at European level.

On 12 July 1999, the Council adopted Recommendation 1999/519/EEC(1) limiting the exposure of the general public to non-ionising radiation in a view of protecting human health against well-known acute health effects. It also referred the precautionary approach to long-term possible carcinogenic effects by the introduction of safety margins in the exposure limits. The Recommendation calls on the Commission to prepare a report, by 2004, taking into account reports from Member States and the latest scientific data and advice.

The recommended maximum limits are based on the guidelines established by the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection and endorsed by the Scientific Steering Committee of the Commission. The Scientific Committee on Toxicity-Ecotoxicity and the Environment confirmed on 30 November 2001 that: the additional information which has become available on carcinogenic and other non-thermal effects of radio frequency and microwave radiation frequencies in the last years does not justify a revision of exposure limits set by the Commission. The Commission does not plan to change these limits.

The Commission hosted the World Health Organisation (WHO) /National Institute for Environmental Health Science (NIEHS) meeting on the Precautionary Principle and Electromagnetic fields on 24-25-26 February 2003. This meeting took place within the context of the extensive risk assessment conducted by WHO, with the support of the Commission, on health risks associated with the exposure to electromagnetic fields. First results of this assessment will be available by the end of 2003 for extremely low frequencies, whereas the radio frequencies assessment will be completed in 2005. The outputs of this WHO/NIEHS conference will be posted on the Europa web site of the Commission(2).

(1) OJ L 199, 30.7.1999.

(2) http://europa.eu.int.