The potential dangers of electromagnetic fields and their effect on the environment
1. The Parliamentary Assembly has
repeatedly stressed the importance of states’ commitment to
preserving the environment and environmental health, as set out in many charters, conventions, declarations and protocols since the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment and the Stockholm Declaration (Stockholm, 1972). The Assembly refers to its past work in this field, namely Recommendation 1863 (2009) on environment and health: better prevention of environment-related health hazards, Recommendation 1947 (2010) on noise and light pollution, and more generally, Recommendation 1885 (2009) on drafting an additional protocol to the European Convention on Human Rights concerning the right to a healthy environment and Recommendation 1430 (1999) on access to information, public participation in environmental decision-making and access to justice – implementation of the Ǻrhus Convention.
preserving the environment and environmental health, as set out in many charters, conventions, declarations and protocols since the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment and the Stockholm Declaration (Stockholm, 1972). The Assembly refers to its past work in this field, namely Recommendation 1863 (2009) on environment and health: better prevention of environment-related health hazards, Recommendation 1947 (2010) on noise and light pollution, and more generally, Recommendation 1885 (2009) on drafting an additional protocol to the European Convention on Human Rights concerning the right to a healthy environment and Recommendation 1430 (1999) on access to information, public participation in environmental decision-making and access to justice – implementation of the Ǻrhus Convention.
2. The potential health effects of the very low frequency of
electromagnetic fields surrounding power lines and electrical devices
are the subject of ongoing research and a significant amount of
public debate. According to the World Health Organization, electromagnetic
fields of all frequencies represent one of the most common and fastest
growing environmental influences, about which anxiety and speculation
are spreading. All populations are now exposed in varying degrees
to electromagnetic fields, the levels of which will continue to increase
as technology advances.
3. Mobile telephony has become commonplace around the world.
This wireless technology relies upon an extensive network of fixed
antennae, or base stations, relaying information with radio-frequency
signals. Over 1.4 million base stations exist worldwide and the
number is increasing significantly with the introduction of third generation
technology. Other wireless networks that allow high-speed Internet
access and services, such as wireless local area networks, are also
increasingly common in homes, offices and many public areas (airports, schools,
residential and urban areas). As the number of base stations and
local wireless networks increases, so does the radio-frequency exposure
of the population.
4. While electrical and electromagnetic fields in certain frequency
bands have wholly beneficial effects which are applied in medicine,
other non-ionising frequencies, whether from extremely low frequencies,
power lines or certain high frequency waves used in the fields of
radar, telecommunications and mobile telephony, appear to have more
or less potentially harmful, non-thermal, biological effects on
plants, insects and animals as well as the human body, even when
exposed to levels that are below the official threshold values.
5. As regards standards or threshold values for emissions of
electromagnetic fields of all types and frequencies, the Assembly
strongly recommends that the ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable)
principle is applied, covering both the so-called thermal effects
and the athermic or biological effects of electromagnetic emissions
or radiation. Moreover, the precautionary principle should be applied
when scientific evaluation does not allow the risk to be determined
with sufficient certainty. Given the context of growing exposure
of the population, in particular that of vulnerable groups such
as young people and children, there could be extremely high human
and economic costs if early warnings are neglected.
6. The Assembly regrets that, despite calls for the respect of
the precautionary principle and despite all the recommendations,
declarations and a number of statutory and legislative advances,
there is still a lack of reaction to known or emerging environmental
and health risks and virtually systematic delays in adopting and implementing
effective preventive measures. Waiting for high levels of scientific
and clinical proof before taking action to prevent well-known risks
can lead to very high health and economic costs, as was the case
with asbestos, leaded petrol and tobacco.
7. Moreover, the Assembly notes that the problem of electromagnetic
fields or waves and their potential consequences for the environment
and health has clear parallels with other current issues, such as
the licensing of medication, chemicals, pesticides, heavy metals
or genetically modified organisms. It therefore highlights that
the issue of independence and credibility of scientific expertise
is crucial to accomplish a transparent and balanced assessment of
potential negative impacts on the environment and human health.
8. In light of the above considerations, the Assembly recommends
that the member states of the Council of Europe:
8.1. in general terms:
8.1.1. take
all reasonable measures to reduce exposure to electromagnetic fields,
especially to radio frequencies from mobile phones, and particularly
the exposure to children and young people who seem to be most at
risk from head tumours;
8.1.2. reconsider the scientific basis for the present standards
on exposure to electromagnetic fields set by the International Commission
on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection, which have serious limitations,
and apply ALARA principles, covering both thermal effects and the
athermic or biological effects of electromagnetic emissions or radiation;
8.1.3. put in place information and awareness-raising campaigns
on the risks of potentially harmful long-term biological effects
on the environment and on human health, especially targeting children,
teenagers and young people of reproductive age;
8.1.4. pay particular attention to “electrosensitive” people
who suffer from a syndrome of intolerance to electromagnetic fields
and introduce special measures to protect them, including the creation
of wave-free areas not covered by the wireless network;
8.1.5. in order to reduce costs, save energy, and protect the
environment and human health, step up research on new types of antenna,
mobile phone and DECT-type device, and encourage research to develop
telecommunication based on other technologies which are just as
efficient but whose effects are less negative on the environment
and health;
8.2. concerning the private use of mobile phones, DECT wireless
phones, WiFi, WLAN and WIMAX for computers and other wireless devices
such as baby monitors:
8.2.1. set preventive thresholds
for levels of long-term exposure to microwaves in all indoor areas,
in accordance with the precautionary principle, not exceeding 0.6 volts
per metre, and in the medium term to reduce it to 0.2 volts per
metre;
8.2.2. undertake appropriate risk-assessment procedures for all
new types of device prior to licensing;
8.2.3. introduce clear labelling indicating the presence of microwaves
or electromagnetic fields, the transmitting power or the specific
absorption rate (SAR) of the device and any health risks connected
with its use;
8.2.4. raise awareness on potential health risks of DECT wireless
telephones, baby monitors and other domestic appliances which emit
continuous pulse waves, if all electrical equipment is left permanently
on standby, and recommend the use of wired, fixed telephones at
home or, failing that, models which do not permanently emit pulse
waves;
8.3. concerning the protection of children:
8.3.1. develop
within different ministries (education, environment and health)
targeted information campaigns aimed at teachers, parents and children
to alert them to the specific risks of early, ill-considered and
prolonged use of mobiles and other devices emitting microwaves;
8.3.2. for children in general, and particularly in schools and
classrooms, give preference to wired Internet connections, and strictly
regulate the use of mobile phones by schoolchildren on school premises;
8.4. concerning the planning of electric power lines and relay
antenna base stations:
8.4.1. introduce town planning measures
to keep high-voltage power lines and other electric installations
at a safe distance from dwellings;
8.4.2. apply strict safety standards for the health impact of
electrical systems in new dwellings;
8.4.3. reduce threshold values for relay antennae in accordance
with the ALARA principle and install systems for comprehensive and
continuous monitoring of all antennae;
8.4.4. determine the sites of any new GSM, UMTS, WiFi or WIMAX
antennae not solely according to the operators’ interests but in
consultation with local and regional government authorities, local
residents and associations of concerned citizens;
8.5. concerning risk assessment and precautions:
8.5.1. make
risk assessment more prevention oriented;
8.5.2. improve risk-assessment standards and quality by creating
a standard risk scale, making the indication of the risk level mandatory,
commissioning several risk hypotheses to be studied and considering
compatibility with real-life conditions;
8.5.3. pay heed to and protect “early warning” scientists;
8.5.4. formulate a human-rights-oriented definition of the precautionary
and ALARA principles;
8.5.5. increase public funding of independent research, in particular
through grants from industry and taxation of products that are the
subject of public research studies to evaluate health risks;
8.5.6. create independent commissions for the allocation of public
funds;
8.5.7. make the transparency of lobby groups mandatory;
8.5.8. promote pluralist and contradictory debates between all
stakeholders, including civil society (Ǻrhus Convention).
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