Answer given by Ms Geoghegan-Quinn on behalf of the Commission
10.2.2014
1 and 2. Relevant findings and research results on the possible effects of exposure to environmental pollutants such as POPs[1] and SVHCs[2] on the central nervous system are available in public databases such as PubMed and project catalogues.[3] Through its research Framework Programmes, the Commission has funded collaborative multi-centre research projects such as EURO-MOTOR,[4] BREATHE,[5] and GEOPARKINSON[6] focusing on the impact of various environmental pollutants on human health including neurodevelopmental effects in children and neurodegenerative diseases in adults. Aluminium is not considered harmful to human health except at high exposure levels.[7]
3. Since 2007, the Commission has invested over EUR 800M in research on neurological diseases including neurodegenerative diseases. On neuroinflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) over EUR 67M has been invested throughout FP7.[8] This support includes 20 international research projects on MS (e.g., SYBILLA[9]).
4. In Horizon 2020, the new Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2014-2020),[10] research on the health impacts of exposure to toxicants could be funded especially from the ‘Health, Demographic Change and Wellbeing’ Societal Challenge.[11]
5. The Commission is currently working on developing a Union strategy on a non-toxic environment, as set out in the Seventh Environmental Action Programme,[12] which will provide the answers to such questions.
6. Substances must be registered pursuant to REACH[13] and those that are hazardous must be notified in accordance with CLP.[14] The Commission is not aware of obstacles as regards the notification of ‘high risk substances’ as there are mechanisms under REACH/CLP allowing for the monitoring of these substances and taking action.
- [1] Persistent Organic Pollutants.
- [2] Substances of very high concern.
- [3] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed; http://ec.europa.eu/research/environment/index_en.cfm?pg=health http://ec.europa.eu/research/health/medical-research/human-development-and-ageing/projects_en.html
- [4] http://www.euromotorproject.eu. Focuses on the key drivers for susceptibility and progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis including exposure to chemicals and pesticides in both occupational and recreational contexts.
- [5] http://www.creal.cat/programes-recerca/en_projectes-creal/111/programes-recerca/en_efectes-contaminants.html Focuses in particular on the possible effects of residential air pollution on prenatal growth and mental development.
- [6] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2078401 Focused on risk for developing Parkinson’s disease related to pesticide exposure.
- [7] http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/phs/phs.asp?id=1076&tid=34
- [8] Seventh Framework Programme for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration Activities (FP7, 2007-2013).
- [9] Systems biology of T-cell activation in health and disease — http://www.sybilla-t-cell.de
- [10] http://ec.europa.eu/research/horizon2020/index_en.cfm
- [11] In the currently open call for proposals there are several relevant topics from which funding could be sought: e.g., PHC 1 — 2014: Understanding health, ageing and disease: determinants, risk factors and pathways or HCO 7 — 2014: ERA-NET: Establishing synergies between the Joint Programming on Neurodegenerative Diseases Research and Horizon 2020.
- [12] http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2013:354:0171:0200:EN:PDF
- [13] Regulation (EC) no 1907/2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restrictions of Chemicals.
- [14] Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures.
OJ C 263, 12/08/2014