EXPOSURE TO PHYSICAL AGENTS

Transcription

1 CHAPTER 6 EXPOSURE TO PHYSICAL AGENTS Introduction Physical agents include all the factors that immit energy into the environment and are potentially harmful to human health and the ecosystems, such as noise, electromagnetic fields, vibrations, light pollution, ultraviolet (UV) radiations and ionizing radiations. The data collected and processed within the EU, as part of policy implementation, with a view to assessing the amount of people exposed to certain levels of noise, identifies noise pollution as one of the major environmental issues, with a large and widespread impact on the population and the environment. Its effects, in terms of disturbance and deterioration of the quality of life, are well documented and such as to convince the European Commission to pursue, as a priority, the reduction in the number of people exposed to noise, by implementing policies based on pooled analyses and common measures. Despite the attempts at solving the problem through the existing complex legislative framework, at both community and national levels, the in-depth studies conducted on the matter and the implementation of prevention and remediation measures, the issue requires yet further attention and the definition of common and effective responses. With regard to electromagnetic pollution, the strong perception, among the general public, of the risks entailed by exposure to electromagnetic fields and radio frequencies continues to diminish, also as a result of the widespread monitoring and information activities carried out, in recent years, by the Environmental Agencies Network. The radiocommunications sector, which is currently undergoing a significant technological development, the first effects of which are reflected in the recent upgrading of the relevant national and regional regulations. Physical agents include all the factors, governed by physical laws, which can transform the environmental conditions in which they appear. The data collected and processed within the EU, as part of policy implementation, with a view to assessing the amount of people exposed to certain levels of noise, identifies noise pollution as one of the major environmental issues, with a large and widespread impact on the population and the environment. The strong perception, among the general public, of the risks entailed to human health by exposure to electromagnetic fields and radio frequencies continues to diminish. 322

2 NOISE The issue The data collected and processed in connection with the first round of the implementation of Directive 2002/49/EC 1 relating to the assessment and management of environmental noise, aimed at defining a common approach for avoiding, preventing or reducing, depending on the respective priorities, the harmful effects of exposure to environmental noise, highlight the presence of a large number of people exposed to levels of noise such as to affect their quality of life. In the European Community, approx. 60 million people, living in urban agglomerations, are exposed to values of L 2 den in excess of 55 db, while approx. 40 million people living in urban agglomerations are exposed to values of L 3 night in excess of 50 db, considering road infrastructures 4 as the sources of the noise. In Italy, based on the data published by the European Commission in the NOISE 5 (Noise Observation and Information Service for Europe) database, approx. 2 million 6 people living in urban agglomerations are exposed to L den levels in excess of 55 db, equal to 20% of the total population of the agglomerations taken into account, the strategic noise maps of which have been sent to the Commission 7. The progressive implementation of Directive 2002/49/EC, and the availability of broader and more accurate information, have outlined a critical situation, to the point of convincing the European Commission to strengthen the actions under the directive, which is currently being revised, by increasing the stringency of the commitments and deadlines introduced. Directive 2002/49/EC, transposed into national law by Legislative Decree 194/2005 8, aims to determine exposure to environmental noise, requiring the competent authorities in the Member States to provide for noise mapping, in the urban agglomerations and main road vehicle, rail and airport infrastructures, using the L den and L night indicators, introduced for the purpose of establishing the number of people subject to annoyance or sleep disturbances, respectively, induced by noise. The Member States are also required to introduce Action Plans aimed at: preventing and reducing environmental noise In the European Community, a significant number of people, living in urban agglomerations, is exposed to noise levels, in particular approx. 60 million people are exposed to values of L den in excess of 55 db, while approx. 40 million people are exposed to values of L night in excess of 50 db, considering road infrastructures as the sources of the noise. 1 Directive 2002/49/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 June 2002 relating to the assessment and management of environmental noise 2 Lden : day-evening-night noise indicator, for overall annoyance, introduced by Directive 2002/49/EC 3 Lnight : night-time noise indicator, relating to sleeping disturbances, introduced by Directive 2002/49/EC; 4 EEA European Environment Agency, processed on 30 June Database dedicated to information obtained through the implementation of the actions referred to in Directive 2002/49/EC, 6 NOISE, Noise Observation and Information Service for Europe. Data updated to 24/02/2012: 1,957,800 7 NOISE, Noise Observation and Information Service for Europe Agglomerations: Florence, Milan, Rome 8 Legislative Decree 194/2005 «Implementing Directive 2002/49/CE relating to the assessment and management of environmental noise» (Published in the Official Journal general series no. 222 of 23 September 2005) 323

3 where it can have harmful effects on health; to protect acoustic quality, where this is already present; ensure the dissemination of information and the involvement of the public, with respect to environmental noise and its effects. The implementation status, in Italy, of Legislative Decree 194/2005, with respect to the first round of Directive 2002/49/EC, regarding agglomerations with over 250 thousand inhabitants, road infrastructures with over 6 million vehicles/year, rail infrastructures with other 60 thousand trains/year and main airports with over 50 thousand movements/year, features a large number of failures, compared to the required deadlines. Based on the available data 9 ten agglomerations have been notified 10, five of which (Bologna, Florence, Milan, Rome, Turin) have presented a strategic noise map and only one (Florence) an action plan. Regarding airports, out of nine notified main airports, all have presented a strategic map and six an action plan. The fulfilment rate is higher with respect to vehicle transport infrastructures: out of the thirteen road infrastructures with over 6 million vehicles/year notified, twelve have presented a noise map, while of the eight rail infrastructures with over 60 thousand trains/year notified, only 2 have presented a noise map. The second round of the directive implementation process regards agglomerations with a population in excess of 100,000, main roads with over 3,000,000 vehicles/year and major rail lines with over 30,000 trains/year. The upcoming deadline, relating to the processing and transmission of the noise maps, strategic noise maps and the information set out in Annex 6 of Directive 2002/49/CE, is 30 June 2012, to the competent authorities, and 30 December 2012, to the Commission. Prior to Directive 2002/49/CE, the European Parliament and the Council had issued Directive 2000/14 on the noise emission in the environment by equipment for use outdoors, transposed into national law by Legislative Decree 262/2002. From a technical point of view, this directive and the related transposition act required that fifty-seven types of machines should be assessed for conformity before being placed on the market. The equipment found to conform could then be sold accompanied by an EU certificate of conformity, bearing the CE mark and a label showing the Guaranteed Sound Power level given in db(a). Analyzing the activities of the Environmental Agencies Network, based on the available data, it emerges that, in 2010, there were 2,529 noise sources subject to monitoring and measurement by the ARPA / APPA, with different percentages in the various sectors. The most highly monitored sources, also in 2010, were service and/or retail activities (52.5%), followed by manufacturing activities (31.5%); road infrastructures remain the most highly monitored transport sources (5.9 %) (Figure 6.1). The implementation status, in Italy, of Legislative Decree 194/2005, with respect to stage one of Directive 2002/49/EC, features a large number of delays and failures, with respect to the required deadlines. 9 Ministry of the Environment, May Bari, Bologna, Catania, Florence, Genoa, Milan, Naples, Palermo, Rome,Turin 324

4 Year on year, there was an increase in the proportion of service and/or retail activities, compared to the total sources (48.4% in 2009); while the percentage of manufacturing activity sources remained unchanged and that of the road infrastructures monitored by the ARPA / APPA dropped (14.3% in 2009). Monitoring activities are mainly conducted following reports/complaints by members of the public: in 2010, globally, approx. 89% of sources were monitored due to complaints received. In detail, among the monitored sources, the highest number of complaints was received for temporary activities (99% of total monitored temporary activities) and for service and/or retail activities (97% of total monitored service activities). Complaints regarding activities account for 95% of all complaints received from the members of the public, as a result of which monitoring programs were implemented by the ARPA / APPA. The large amount of complaints and cases of exceedance of the legal limit values recorded in 2010 (49% of all monitored sources) are proof of the constant attention to noise pollution and to the continuous demand for greater protection by the public, with respect to an effective criticality. There is a great deal of attention by the public and a demand for personal and environmental protection: 89 controls every 100 are triggered by reports received from members of the public, and 49% of the reported sources feature exceedances of the legal limits. Temporary activities 8,0% Service and/or retail activities 52,5% Road infrastructures 5,9% Rail infrastructures 1,5% Airport infrastructures 0,6% Port infrastructures 0,6% Manifacturing activities 31,5% The monitored sources deemed to be highly disturbing by the public, in order of importance, are commercial/service activities (52.5%), manufacturing activities (31,5%), and temporary activities (8%). Note: No data is available for the following regions: Veneto, Liguria, Molise, Campania, Calabria, Sicily and Sardinia Figure 6.1: Sectoral breakdown of the monitored sources (2,529), by activity/infrastructure (2010) 11 The principal noise sources The main sources of noise, namely, road, rail and air traffic, with distinctions in respect of the single sources, after a general increase in volume now feature a steady trend. In particular, airport traffic data shows that after a 17.7% increase between 2003 and 2007, there was a 6.5% drop during the last four years ( ), although the trend was reversed between 2009 and 2010, rising again by 3.7%. Road vehicle traffic, after a 61% growth between 1990 and 2007, stabilized since 2008 at 83 million The main sources of noise, namely, road, rail and air traffic, with distinctions in respect of the single sources, after a general increase in volume now feature a steady trend. 11 Source: ARPA/APPA data processed by the ISPRA 325

5 vehicles/km. Regard rail traffic, in million trains/km were recorded on the State Railways network for passenger transport (+5.2% compared to 2004) and 43 million trains/km for freight transport (-32.5% compared to 2004). The obligation, for the transport infrastructure operators, to introduce Action plans for noise abatement, required by DM 29 November 2000, has not yet been complied with by all the companies concerned, although many infrastructure operators presented their studies in the last year. The above pressure elements, although declining, along with the inadequate enforcement of the applicable regulations and the lack of synergy and dialogue between key stakeholders, can seriously hinder a comprehensive and shared definition of the necessary actions. Road vehicle traffic is the main source of noise pollution in urban areas, but we must not overlook other sources, such as, for example, industrial/craft activities, commercial activities and related equipment (air conditioning, refrigerators, etc..), clubs and discos, which generate a significant impact on their surroundings. Even the noisy machines used for road works and building construction and gardening equipment, addressed by Directive 2000/14/EC, influence the noise climate of the surrounding area, therefore representing a considerable cause of disturbance. Noise abatement actions The progressive implementation of Directive 2002/49/EC, albeit with differences among the Member States, highlights a greater awareness of the state of the environment, with respect to noise pollution, at Community and Member State level, and a more effective sharing of the issues at stake and the implemented actions. The need to implement the directive, through the enforcement decrees referred to in Legislative Decree 194/2005, and the harmonization of Community legislation with the complex National legislative system, the cornerstone of which is the Framework Law 447/95 on noise pollution, are the privileged fields of activity, capable of creating an opportunity for reflection and development in the legislative structure. At Community level, proposals are being advanced to review Directive 2002/49/CE, based on the analyses of the implementation status and the implementation experience of the Member States, by forecasting different scenarios and alternative proposals for solving the problems encountered during implementation. Moreover, to ensure the accuracy and comparison of the exposed population estimates provided by the Member States, and to implement article 6 of Directive 2002/49/EC, the CNOSSOS (Common Noise Assessment Methods) project is approaching completion, for the purpose of defining a common model of determination of the noise indicators L den and L night, for road, rail, airport and industrial noise sources. At national level, the focus is on ensuring the full integration between the provisions of Directive 2002/49/EC and the complex Forms and procedures of harmonization of the Community and National legislative tools should be identified and shared, in respect of the various fields of this topic. 326

6 legal framework in the field of noise through harmonization, although the lack of measures implementing the directive has been highlighted, despite being provided for by Legislative Decree 194/2005. The key criticalities found, however, remain, such as: the lack of an organic legislative framework for the sector, at the various levels of application; the failed completion of the implementation decrees provided for by the Framework Law, and in particular those relating to the definition of the criteria for designing, constructing and refurbishing buildings and transport infrastructures; the disregard for the application of the measures for passive noise abatement in buildings; the failure to strengthen the current legislative instruments regarding environmental noise management, which are constantly disregarded. What clearly emerges is the fragmentation of the actions aimed at the prevention and mitigation of the effects produced by noise pollution. In particular, despite some signs of change, the gap remains, especially in the building sector, between areas featuring a congruent number of actions (transport infrastructures) and those to which little attention is given, as in the integration between regional and noise planning. But there is undoubtedly a greater focus on environmental communication and information actions and community involvement, also due to the principles and tools introduced at Community level. In this respect, the ISPRA has developed the National Land Register of Noise Sources project, which comprises a database of noise sources, containing useful information for the noise characterization of the main nationwide sources (manufacturing plants, roads, railways, airports and ports) and the possible related noise abatement measures. However, there are still differences between the implementation status of the various sectors and geographical areas. The institutional activities of the Environmental Agency Network have nevertheless been stepped up, in order to effectively tackle the needs of the public, with respect to both monitoring and information activities. The analysis of the data relating to the regulatory measures for the different sectors shows a stationary situation, compared to the previous years, at regional and local level, alongside compliance with certain obligations regarding transport infrastructures. In particular, the failure to pass a regional law, containing the noise pollution provisions set out in the Framework Law, by some of the regions, highlights the inadequate response at national level: five regions, in fact, have still not approved a regional law on the matter (Molise, Campania, Basilicata, Sicily and Sardinia); the latest region to enact a regional law for implementing article 4 of Law 447/95 was Calabria Provisions governing noise pollution for protecting the environment of the Region of Calabria (Regional Law 34/2009), while Tuscany recently enacted Regional Law 39/2011, amending the previous noise pollution measures dating back to

7 Regional governments have often passed single provisions such as noise zoning guidelines or procedures for qualifying noise experts which, to a certain extent, make up for the lack of organic legislative measures at regional level. At 31 December 2010, only 46% of local authorities in Italy had approved noise zoning regulations at local level, which is the first necessary step in the implementation of general noise planning actions, for defining land use and enabling the subsequent protection and remediation of critical areas, compared to 43% year on year. Considerable differences remain between the regions in this respect; the top ranking ones are Marche (97.1%), Tuscany (94.1%), Liguria (84.7%), Piedmont (72.7%), Aosta Valley (71.6%), Veneto (63.7%), Lombardy (62.4%), the Autonomous Province of Trento (62.2%), Emilia-Romagna (61.5%), while the lowest ranking i.e. with percentages below 10% are Puglia (9.7%), Abruzzo (6.2%), Sardinia (3.2%) and Sicily (1.0%). No noise zoning plans have been introduced, to date, at local level, in the Autonomous Province of Bolzano, Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Basilicata. Lastly, no information is available for Calabria and Molise. Likewise, there has been a significant increase in the percentage of population living in municipalities that have approved noise zoning regulations, equal to 52%, up from 50% year on year; a similar trend has been measures with respect to land area (from 36.9% of the country s area in 2009 to 39.9% in 2010) (see Figures 5.3, 5.4, 5.5). The increased number of local authorities that have approved noise zoning regulations is due to the slight increase in regions already featuring a considerable percentage of compliant local authorities, thus further highlighting the gap between the regions almost fully noise-zoned and those with hardly no noise-zoned local authorities. The percentage of Italian local authorities that have approved noise zoning regulations (46%) and the excessive regional differences highlight the insufficient application of this instrument and a marked geographical unevenness, with effective policies in some regions and political inertia in others. Critical points concern limited awareness of the Plan by the public and its scarce effectiveness on both communities and the quality of the environment, due to insufficient information and the excessive segmentation of this tool, which is not yet fully integrated with the principal regional planning measures and the other environmentallythemed plans. There is also an insufficient enforcement of the noise zoning regulations, which are unevenly applied within the country, with policies that have proven effective in some regions and situations of outright inertia in other areas. 328

8 The percentage of local authorities in Italy that had approved noise zoning regulations, at 31 December 2010, was 46.2%: Marche (97%), Tuscany (94%), Liguria (85%), Piemonte (73%). Figure 6.2: Percentage breakdown of local authorities that have introduced noise zoning regulations, compared to the total number of local authorities in each region/autonomous province (data updated to 31/12/2010) 12 The percentage of the national population living in municipalities that have approved noise zoning regulations is 52%. Figure 6.3: Percentage breakdown of the population of each region/autonomous province living in municipalities that have introduced noise zoning regulations, compared to the total population (data updated to 31/12/2010) Source: ARPA/APPA data processed by the ISPRA 13 Source: ARPA/APPA data processed by the ISPRA 329

9 At 31 December 2010, the local authorities that had introduced noise zoning regulations accounted for 40% of the land area, compared to 37% in September Figure 6.4: Percentage breakdown of the land area of the local authorities that had introduced noise zoning regulations, compared to the total land area (data updated to 31/12/2010) 14 The requirement for local authorities to present a two-yearly environmental noise status report, introduced by Law 447/95, as a tool for the analysis and management of noise pollution at local level, is widely disregarded. There are no changes, in fact, compared to previous years, in this respect: of the total 149 local authorities with a population in excess of 50,000 required to prepare the report, only 22 local authorities have actually complied and presented a noise report, primarily in Tuscany (11 compliant local authorities out of 13) and Lombardia (5 out of 15). Moreover, very few local authorities have complied with the requirement, laid down by Law 447/95, of noise remediation measures: based on the available data, only 62 local authorities, in fact, equal to 1.7% local authorities that have introduced noise zoning regulations, have approved a noise remediation plan, primarily in Tuscany, which features 44 approved plans. Concerning airport noise zoning, as referred to in the enforcement decrees of Law 447/95 on airport noise, at the end of 2010 had been approved for 15 out of 40 airports for which data is available and assessments are currently under way in another 11. The remediation actions by the operators/owners of transport infrastructures, provided for by the Framework Law, feature sectoral differences: in the case of railways and most of the motorway network, criticality studies have been completed and a first set of mitigation measures designed and scheduled; while in the case of roads and airports there are significant delays in compliance. With regard to the implementation status of the plans for noise Regarding compliance by the local authorities, 46% have approved local noise zoning regulations, only 1.7% have introduced noise remediation measures and 15% of the local authorities required to do so have prepared a twoyearly noise status report. Currently, 15 airports out of 40 have approved noise zoning regulations for the airports surroundings. 14 Source: ARPA/APPA data processed by the ISPRA 330

10 abatement (abbreviated as PCAR), introduced by DM 29/11/2000, regarding operators of motorways under private concessions, 18 have sent noise abatement actions plans to the Ministry of the Environment (MATTM) and the regional/local authorities concerned; 3 operators have presented no plans, having declared that the motorways they operate already comply with the applicable limit values and, therefore, need no new measures; lastly, only one operator still needs to comply with this obligation (Table 5.2). The ISPRA has supervised the preliminary stages of the action plans, sixteen of which have been approved by the Ministry of the Environment, following the agreement reached by the so-called Unified Conference. The ISPRA, according to article 4 of Legislative Decree 262/2002, is responsible for performing the market supervision activities established by Directive 2000/14/CE. In this capacity, to date, it has carried out over two hundred document controls, assisting the regularization of approx. 2,500 noisy machines and equipment, while awaiting the launching of the inspection activities provided for in DM 4 October 2011, at the factories. Table 6.1: Presentation of the action plans for noise abatement (PCAR), introduced by DM 29/11/2000, by motorway operators under private concessions (December 2011) 15 PCAR Km % Presented 5, Awaiting presentation Declared unnecessary by the operator TOTAL 5, % of the kilometers of motorways under private concessions have been monitored, in connection with the preparation of action plans for noise abatement (PCAR), pursuant to DM 29/11/2000; 3.9% of motorways have not yet presented plans, while actions in this respect by the operators have been deemed unnecessary in 1.9% of cases.. 15 Source: ISPRA 331

11 The need today is to focus on the harmonization of noise pollution prevention/mitigation methods and tools, by exploiting the opportunities offered by the legislative instruments introduced to reorganize the sector, highlighting the critical aspects that have remained unresolved for too long and strengthening the awareness of the relevant domestic and European dynamics. The prevention, planning and remediation tools envisaged by National legislation, along with those introduced by Directive 2002/49/EC, should be harmonized and their effectiveness enhanced, and accurate, clear and exhaustive information made available to the public, with respect to the key features of the issue and, above all, the effects of noise on both human beings and the environment. ELECTROMAGNETIC POLLUTION The issue In recent years, with regard to electromagnetic fields (EMFs), numerous actions have been undertaken, at national and regional level, in terms of the monitoring and development of information tools, which have made it possible, to a certain extent, to calm down public alarm and improve trust in public institutions. Currently, in Italy, radio telecommunication systems are being strongly developed, with the switchover from analog to digital television and the introduction, over the next three years, of state-ofthe-art systems, such as UMTS 900, LTE and Single Ran devices. This has entailed the upgrading of National regulations, a process that has created enormous application difficulies at regional level. The changes in the types of systems and the relevant regulations must, however, continue to be supported by the same tools that, in recent years, have successfully encouraged the social management of this issue. The enormous strides forward in the legislative and technicalscientific fields, to protect the health of the population, continue to serve as a foundation on which to build further actions for improving knowledge of their repercussions on the environment, nationwide. The principal EMF sources The following information regards the sources of electrical, magnetic and electromagnetic fields, represented by power lines and radio telecommunications systems (radio/television antennas and BTS), which are covered by the EMF Observatory database annually populated by the ARPA/APPA contacts. Regarding 2010 (Figure 6.5), the density of BTS has increased approx. 3 times compared to that of radio/television broadcasting antennas (0.31 and 0.11 facilities per km 2, respectively), while the density of BTS (0.17 sites per km 2 ) is approx. 6 times that of radio/television broadcasting facilities (0.03 sites per km 2 ). The environmental impact, in terms of the pressure exercised by these facilities nationwide, between 2009 and 2010, has changed It is necessary to continue supporting the strong technological development in the field of radio telecommunication systems by means of targeted actions aimed at improving knowledge of their repercussions on the environment, nationwide. Between 2009 and 332

12 primarily in connection with cell phone facilities and sites, which increased by 15% and 12 %, respectively. Regarding radio/television broadcasting antennas, there was only a slight increase 5% of the sites. This information is based on the full data for the two years, relating to both types of facilities, provided by a limited number of regions (Piedmont, Aosta Valley, Lombardy, Veneto, Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, Umbria, Marche and Molise). Figure 6.5: Density of cell phone and radio/television broadcasting facilities and sites, for the regions for which complete datasets are available (2010) , the cell phone facilities and sites increased by 15% and 12%, respectively, while radio/television broadcasting facilities remained basically unchanged. Cell phone tower facilities feature a density approx. 3 times higher than radio/television broadcasting facilities, while the density of cell phone tower sites is approx. 6 times higher than that of radio/television antenna sites. The overall power levels of radio/television broadcasting antennas (10,830 kw) is approx 2.6 times that of the BTS (4207 kw). However, the lower overall power levels associated with BTS entails a greater pressure on the local environment than the radio/television broadcasting antennas, as highlighted above, for the purpose of ensuring nationwide coverage based on the specific needs of the mobile telephone service. 16 Source: ARPA/APPA data processed by the ISPRA (EMF Observatory) 333

13 Radio/television broadcasting antennas exercise an environmental pressure, in terms of power levels, that is 2.6 times higher than that of BTS. Note: Due to a printing error by the region of Umbria, the overall power in 2009 was mistakenly reported as equal to 12,309 kw instead of 10,760 kw Figure 6.6: Total power levels, comparison of radio/television broadcasting antennas and BTS, for the regions where complete datasets are available (2010) 17 With regard to non-ionizing radiations (NIRs), another important factor is represented by high and very-high voltage power lines (Figure 6.7). Between 2009 and 2010 no significant changes were recorded in the overall length of these lines. The information provided in the figure below is related to all the regions and was supplied by the operators Terna SpA, ENEL Distribuzione SpA and Deval SpA. 17 Source: ARPA/APPA data processed by the ISPRA (EMF Observatory) 334

14 There were no significant changes between 2009 and Figure 6.7: Overall length of high voltage (diagram A) and veryhigh voltage (diagram B) power lines 18 Electromagnetic pollution containing action The control and supervisory activities relating to ELF (Extremely Low Frequency) facilities, radio/television broadcasting antennas and BTS, which, under the law (article 14 of the Framework Law 36/2001) are the responsibility of ARPA/APPA, significantly support the local and provincial authorities, with respect to both permit-granting procedures (preliminary assessments) and the operating phase (post-activation controls, using forecasting and instrumental models) of radio telecommunications systems. The Environmental Agencies exploit the results of these activities, not only for the primary purpose of checking compliance with the applicable regulations (DPCM 8/07/2003), but also to collect information for improving their knowledge of the repercussions on the environment of certain electromagnetic emissions, and for promoting fuller and more transparent information to the local communities and the public in general. Between 2009 and 2010, there was a significant increase in Between 2009 and 2010, there was a 18 Source: Data supplied by Terna S.p.A., Enel Distribuzione S.p.A, Deval S.p.A. and processed by the ISPRA 335

15 the number of preliminary assessments, in connection with the related permit-granting process, for cell phone towers (30%) and radio television broadcasting antennas (60%). Regarding the number of post-activation controls, there was a slight reduction for BTS (-3%) and a slight increase for radio/television broadcasting antennas (9%). This information is based on the full data for the two years taken into account, with respect to both types of facilities, provided by a limited number of regions (Piedmont, Aosta Valley, Lombardy, Trentino- Alto Adige, Veneto, Tuscany, Umbria, Marche, Molise, Apulia and Basilicata). Regarding the assessments/controls relating to power lines (ELF), between 2009 and 2010, the number of assessments rose considerably by 49%, while the number of controls on the operating facilities dropped by 30%. This information is based on the full data for the two years taken into account, with respect to both types of facilities, provided by a limited number of regions (Aosta Valley, Lombardy, Trentino-Alto Adige, Veneto, Tuscany, Umbria, Marche, Molise e Apulia). significant increase in the number of preliminary assessments for BTS (30%) and radio television broadcasting antennas (60%). Regarding the number of postactivation controls, there was a slight reduction for BTS (- 3%) and a slight increase for radio/television broadcasting antennas (9%). Between 2009 and 2010, the number of assessments rose considerably by 49%, while the number of controls on the operating facilities dropped by 30%. Note: The data refers only to the regions/autonomous provinces for which full datasets are available. Figure 6.8: Trend in the number of assessments and controls, by ELF field sources in Italy 19 Based on the data supplied by the EMF Observatory, for the regions for which data updated to 2011 are available, with respect to both types of RF sources (Valle d Aosta, Lombardy, Veneto, Friuli- Venezia Giulia, Liguria, Emilia-Romagna, Umbria, Marche and Abruzzo), we can see how exceedance of the legal limit values by radio/television broadcasting antennas (356) are approx. 10 times higher than the exceedances by cell phone towers (36). Figure 6.9 shows percentage status of the remediation actions, undertaken with respect to the above mentioned cases of exceedance, to the knowledge of the ARPA/APPA. Regarding cell phone towers, a larger number of remediation actions have been completed, compared to radio/television broadcasting antennas, due to the complexity of the The cases of exceedance of the legal limit values by radio/television broadcasting antennas (356) are approx. 10 times higher than the exceedances by cell phone towers (36). 19 Source: Elaborazione ISPRA su dati ARPA/APPA (EMF Observatory) 336

16 remediation procedures, which often require the involvement of multiple facilities, along with the difficulties in maintaining the same quality of service provided for in the concession arrangements, which entails a higher number of remediation actions to be completed, totaling 40%, compared to 14% in the case of cell phone facilities. The domestic legislative framework does not feature any significant changes, regarding the protection of the public from exposure to electromagnetic fields. On the contrary, important progress has been made with respect to the regulation of the authorization procedures for radio telecommunications systems, as a result of the large-scale technological developments affecting the mobile telephone sector, in particular. Based on the data emerging from the EMF Observatory,, for the regions for which data updated to 2011 are available (Aosta Valley, Trentino-Alto Adige, Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Emilia- Romagna, Tuscany, Umbria, Marche, Apulia and Calabria), five regions have issued new regulations on electromagnetic fields. There are no significant changes, regarding the protection of the public from exposure to electromagnetic fields. To date, five regions have issued local regulations on electromagnetic fields. RTV facilities remediation actions are technically more complex than RTV remediation actions under way and completed are higher than (respectively 5% and 30%) those of BTS facilities (respectively 3% and 5%). Note: The data is related only to those regions for which complete datasets are available, updated to 2011, for both sets of RF sources. Figure 6.9: Remediation status at the sites at which at least one exceedance was recorded due to radio/television broadcasting and BTS (2009) Source: ARPA / APPA data processed by the ISPRA (EMF Observatory) 337

17 GLOSSARY Physical agents: Physical agents include all the factors that immit energy into the environment and are potentially harmful to human health and the ecosystems, such as noise, electromagnetic fields, vibrations, light pollution, ultraviolet (UV) radiations and ionizing radiations. Lden: A day-evening-night noise indicator, for overall annoyance, introduced by Directive 2002/49/EC. Lnight: Night-time noise indicator, relating to sleep disturbances, introduced by Directive 2002/49/EC. NOISE: The acronym of Noise Observation and Information Service for Europe, operated by the European Environment Agency (EEA) and the European Topic Centre on Spatial Information and Analysis (ETC-SIA, formerly ETC-LUSI) on behalf of the European Commission. It contains data on the strategic noise maps provided in accordance with Directive 2002/49/EC relating to the assessment and management of environmental noise. Decibel (db): The decibel (db) is one tenth of a bel (B): 10 db = 1 B. The bel, although seldom used, remains the fundamental unit of measurement from which the decibel derives; moreover, the corresponding measurements are pure numbers and are obtained as the logarithm of the ratio of two uniform quantities (i.e., that can be expressed using the same unit of measurement and such, therefore, that their ratio is a pure dimensionless number). National Land Register of noise sources: Developed by the ISPRA, on behalf of the Ministry of the Environment, it is a database for the characterization of noise sources of nationwide relevance, such as transport infrastructures or plants subject to the AIA. The Register is an extremely useful tool for conducting environmental impact studies and, above all, as a component of the environmental information processes targeting the general public. EMF Observatory: The EMF Observatory database has been set up in connection with the need to develop a suitable knowledge base, relating to the number of nationwide facilities (high-frequency radio/television broadcasting antennas and cell phone towers and ELF power supply lines), the control activities carried out by the Regional/Provincial Environmental Protection Agencies (ARPA/APPA) and the critical situations resulting from the exceedance of the limit values, under the applicable regulations. 338

18 Facility (RF): The number of antennas operating at a given frequency form a facility (this definition is in line with the technical specifications of the EMF Observatory). Site (RF): A geographical location hosting telecommunications facilities. A site may be simple featuring only one mast or pylon or complex, i.e. with may masts and/or pylons, which are generally enclosed by fencing (this definition is in line with the technical specifications of the EMF Observatory). Radio/television facilities: Radio and television broadcasting facilities transmit RF electromagnetic waves with a frequency of between several hundred khz and several hundred MHz. BTS (Base Tranceiver Station): Mobile telephone facilities receiving and transmitting signals from cell phones and operating at different frequency bands, between 900 and 2,100 MHz, depending on the technological system used. 339