Scientific and technological aspects of fine-particles emissions and human health
Motion for a Resolution
Doc. 7820
2 May 1997
presented by Mr TIURI and others
This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only the members who have signed it |
1.Aerosol particles of different origins and with different characteristics are present in varying quantities and concentration in the air. Winds can transport these particles hundreds or thousands of kilometers.
2.Aerosol particles having a diameter less than 2.5 thousands of a millimetre (PM2.5, fine particles) can by breathing reach the lung tissue.
3.Fine particles cause sufferings such as allergies and other diseases and lead to an increase in mortality rates. A mortality increase as high as between 10% and 30 % has been reported in studies from cities in the USA indicating that fine-particles pollution can be very dangerous for human health.
4.A large part of fine particles emissions is caused by combustion and burning fossil and biofuels, but there are also other sources.
5.It is important to know the origin and nature of fine particles emissions as well as their characteristics in order to reduce their concentration in the air and limit negative consequences for human health.
6.Consequently, the Assembly calls on the governments of member states
to promote research for the understanding of the interactions between fine particles and human lungs in order to determine the causes of health sufferings and increased mortality and find remedies for such sufferings;
to sponsor research and technical development for the elimination of fine particles at the source of their emission;
to improve their legislation on air quality norms with a view to limiting fine particles emissions and their concentration in the air;
to promote, assess and develop alternative technologies to those causing fine-particles emissions harmful to human health.
Signed: (1)
Tiuri, Finland, EDG
Bartodziej, Poland, EPP
Beaufays, Belgium, EPP
Bog�r, Hungary, EDG
Connolly, Ireland, LDR
Dromberg, Finland, EDG
Elo, Finland, SOC
Fleetwood, Sweden, EDG
Frey, Switzerland, LDR
Korkeaoja, Finland, LDR
Lorenzi, Italy, LDR
Olrich, Iceland, EDG
Rewaj, Poland, SOC
Roseta, Portugal, EPP
Szalay, Hungary, LDR
Turini, Italy, EDG
Note: 1SOC: Socialist Group
EPP: Group of the European People's Party
EDG: European Democratic Group
LDR: Liberal, Democratic and Reformers Group
UEL: Group of the Unified European Left
NR: Not registered