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WRITTEN
QUESTION P-0809/04
by Ian Hudghton (Verts/ALE) to the Commission
(03 March 2004)
Subject:
Terrestrial trunked radio masts
The
Commission, in its implementation report on Council Recommendation
1999/519/EC(1), limiting public exposure to electromagnetic fields (0Hz to
300 GHz), Section 8.3, states that "recent findings in the extremely low
frequency area …. have to be evaluated." It further states that the
Commission will review its recommendations "taking into account the latest
scientific data and advice."
TETRA is
being introduced in the UK to serve the police and emergency services. It
operates at ultra high frequency (395 Mhz) pulses of around 17.6Hz, a
frequency which has been shown as causing damage to the nervous and immune
systems in human beings. The UK Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones
in their Government-commissioned study of 2000, the Stewart Report, said
that modulation around the frequency of 16Hz "should be avoided" because
of possible health impacts.
In spite
of this, 3000 masts are being erected across the UK, 700 in my
constituency (Scotland) amidst growing public concern that the system has
never been properly evaluated on health grounds. Meanwhile amongst police
personnel who are already using the system, symptoms associated with
exposure to mobile-communications-type radiation levels such as sleep
disruption, migraine headaches and so on are already being reported.
The
regulations governing public exposure to electromagnetic fields were fixed
prior to the introduction of TETRA. In light of its own report on the
implementation of Council Recommendation 1999/519/EC, would the Commission
agree that, in the interests of public health, a moratorium be placed on
further development of this system until a proper evaluation of health
risks has been carried out?
Parliamentary questions
Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission
(written question: P-0809/04)
(7 April 2004)
On 12
July 1999 the Council adopted Recommendation 1999/519/EC limiting the
exposure of the general public to non-ionising radiation with the view of
protecting human health in a frequency range of 0 Herz (Hz) to 300
Gigaherz (Ghz). This also covers the frequencies mentioned by the
Honourable Member. The Scientific Committee on Toxicology-Ecotoxicology
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 the exposure limits set
by the Commission”. This view was generally supported in a conference on
mobile communication in January 2004(1) and by a series of expert reports
recently produced in some Member States.
An
implementation report on the Council Recommendation was published in March
2003 focusing on measures taken in Member States. This report states in
paragraph 8.3 that some recent findings in the extremely low frequency
area have to be further evaluated. This refers in particular to extreme
low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields at power frequencies (50/60 Hz)
originating from power lines.
The World
Health Organisation (WHO) is currently conducting a major assessment
relating to EMF, both in the low and radio frequency range. The Commission
is following closely this project. It is to be expected that the outcome
of this work will provide key elements to determine eventual further
steps.
Considerable research work has been and continues to be undertaken to
investigate possible long term effects on health of exposure to
electromagnetic fields. The Commission is following closely any new
scientific results in the domain to react, if necessary, to any new
scientific evidence not taken to date into consideration. Once finalised
(2004-2006), the projects supported by the Community under the 5th
Framework Programme for Research (FP5) should provide an important input
to address the knowledge gap and will also contribute to the related
activities of the WHO.
In
addition, under the 6th Framework Programme, the new Coordination Action
on EMF (EMF-NET) aimed at improving the co-ordination of the results of
the research activities related to the biological effects of
electromagnetic fields has just started (2004-2008). The consortium
involves all the co-ordinators of the EU (FP5) funded active projects, and
of major research projects at national level (Germany, Greece, France,
Italy, Finland, United Kingdom, Hungary). In addition, it links to other
international activities, such as COST 281 Action, WHO EMF activities,
associations of industries and manufacturers, regulatory bodies,
scientific associations, and trade union associations. This network will,
inter alia, review European and national EMF studies and support informed
decision making for regulation and risk communication by health and
environmental authorities, consumer associations and individuals.
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http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/rtte/emfworkshop/index.htm |
