European Parliament
President.
As the time allotted to questions to Commissioner Fischler has elapsed, Questions Nos 37 and 38 will be replied to in writing
(1)
Questions to Commissioner Wallström
Question No 39 by Marie Anne Isler Béguin 
(
Subject: Human and financial costs of pollution in the enlarged EU
A WHO study published in September 2000 established that, in France alone, atmospheric pollution is the cause each year of 31 700 deaths, 500 000 asthma attacks and 25 000 cases of bronchitis, and has an economic impact equal to 1.7% of GDP.
Has the increasing threat posed to living conditions by pollution in an EU of 27 Member States, in terms of health and life expectancy, spurred the Commission to have an epidemiological study conducted to quantify in full the mortal impact (diseases and longevity) of the different types of pollution and their economic costs, notably in combination with the effects of global warming?
Do such vital threats to societies in an enlarged EU not make it an utmost and priority duty to conduct epidemiological research, disseminate the results of this on a scale commensurate with the issues at stake, raise awareness with regard to these issues and incorporate them as a background theme in all Community policies?
See Annex
'Question Time'

