The EU and the electromagnetic fields
Here you will find the EU's political decisions on the protection of the general public from the effects of electromagnetic fields. Although exposure limits that would protect against all negative health effects were discussed in the European Parliament, ministers from EU member states ultimately decided that limits that only protect against immediate harm are sufficient. The precautionary principle was not mentioned in the decisions.
Health
The EU on protecting the public health.
Parliament
Parliament is concerned about public safety.
The Council
Ministers of the member states are concerned about scientific certainty.
Health
Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union
The treaty explicitly states that the precautionary principle should be applied in order to protect human health. Article 191 (in part)1
'1. Union policy on the environment shall contribute to pursuit of the following objectives:- preserving, protecting and improving the quality of the environment,
- protecting human health,
2. Union policy on the environment shall aim at a high level of protection taking into account the diversity of situations in the various regions of the Union. It shall be based on the precautionary principle and on the principles that preventive action should be taken, that environmental damage should as a priority be rectified at source and that the polluter should pay.'2
Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union
Article 35 (in part)
'A high level of human health protection shall be ensured in the definition and implementation of all the Union's policies and activities.'3
Parliament
The Council consulted Parliament on the Commission's proposal on the limitation of exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields 0 Hz - 300 GHz.4
When the Commission writes:
'Whereas this framework must be based on the best available
scientific data and advice in this area and should comprise
basic restrictions and reference levels on exposure to
electromagnetic fields; whereas advice on this matter has
been given by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing
Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and has been endorsed by the
Commission"s Scientific Steering Committee.'
Parliament suggests a new writing:
'Whereas, in accordance with the precautionary principle,
this framework, which can draw on the large body of
scientific documentation which already exists, must
eliminate any possible public health hazard, must be based
on the best available scientific data and advice in this
area and should comprise stringent basic restrictions and
reference levels on exposure to electromagnetic fields and
such advice should be regularly reviewed and reassessed in
the light of increased patterns of usage of devices which
may increase exposure to electromagnetic fields;'5
Following the presentation of the Commission's final proposal to Parliament, an amendment was made to defend the scientific basis. And a hint that the ICNIRP's limits might cover long-term effects.
'However, since there are safety factors of about 50 between the threshold values for acute effects and the basis restrictions, this recommendation implicitly covers possible long-term effects in the whole frequency range.'6
The ICNIRP does not make this claim.
The council
On 12 July 1999, the EU Council of Ministers met and decided to recommend the ICNIRP limits. There are some interesting details to note. The Council of Ministers was ECOFIN, consisting of the finance ministers of the member states. However, this may not be significant, given that the decision was made without discussion, as were many other non-economic issues. The English version contains a spelling mistake that has not been corrected in the citation below. The frequency range to which the limits apply is stated as 0Hz–300Hz instead of 0Hz–300GHz.
The Council of Ministers decision explicitly states that
the aim of the recommendation is to provide a high level of
protection against acute effects. Nothing else is
mentioned.
'The Council adopted by qualified majority, the Italian delegation voting against, the recommendation on the limitation of exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields 0Hz-300Hz. The aim of this recommendation is to provide for a commonly agreed framework concerning a high level protection against acute effects from 0Hz-300hz electromagnetic fields (EMFs). Among such EMFs are sources of static electric and magnetic fields, power lines and electric appliances, electric railway systems, broadcast transmitters, cellular radio, mobile phone base stations, and radar.'7
The Result
The EU recommends exposure limits that are the highest possible. These limits only protect against warming caused by radiofrequency radiation and the immediate stimulation of peripheral nerves and muscles caused by electric and magnetic fields.8
The considerations and assumptions underlying the exposure limits are described on the page WHO's exposure limits. What happens when these limits are exceeded?
Ultimately, you will die. It takes around five to six hours of exposure to radiofrequency radiation to kill a dog. Read more on the page Lethal Doses.
The Precautionary Principle
According to the decision of the Council of Ministers, the recommended exposure limits only protect against acute effects. However, the EU's aim is to provide high protection for the general population, without exceptions. This cannot be achieved without the precautionary principle. Although the precautionary principle is explicitly required in the EU Treaty, an adequate basis for its application to electromagnetic fields has yet to be developed. Next page:
