Policies

Policies

Worldwide policies and guidelines have been instituted in government, health and school agencies to reduce exposure to electromagnetic wireless radiation used in communications. This has been due to the increasing and compelling research on the  physical as well as psychosocial health effects from the use of wireless digital technology.

Full List of international Policies on Wireless Radiation

The Environmental Health Trust has complied an international list of policies at  EHTrust.org  which are regularly updated. The older PDF is at  EH Trust International Precautionary Policies and Actions on Wireless Radiation  Exposure Reduction

For an updated list of what’s happening internationally go to the webpage EH Trust  International Policy Actions on Wireless Radiation

Policies

France

France 2018:  Mobile phones will be banned in schools and colleges from the start of the 2018 school year according to the Minister of Education Jean-Michel Blanquer.  Cell phones were previously banned just from classrooms and this will now be a full ban. Google will translate these articles.  ” No More mobile phones in schools and colleges in the autumn of 2018,” says Jean-Michel Blanquer The World Oct 12, 2017.   Ministry of Ecological and Solidarity Transition  has issued 6 Good Behaviors Advice for students 6 Good Cell Phone Behaviors-FRANCE

California, USA

California, USA 2017: On December 13, 2017 the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Released its first guidelines on “How to Reduce Exposure to Radiofrequency Radiation for Cell Phones”  CDPH Press Release Dec 13, 2017 .  The CDPH noted that cell phone use is increasing dramatically. The document states, “Although the science is still evolving, some laboratory experiments and human health studies have suggested the possibility that long-term, high use of cell phones may be linked to certain types of cancer and other health effects, including: brain cancer and tumors of the acoustic nerve (needed for hearing and maintaining balance) and salivary glands, lower sperm counts and inactive or less mobile sperm, headaches and effects on learning and memory, hearing, behavior, and sleep.”

The new CDPH guidelines  provide valuable practical steps to reduce exposure to radio frequency energy from cell phones. These includes:

• Keeping the phone away from the body
• Reducing cell phone use when the signal is weak
• Reducing the use of cell phones to stream audio or video, or to download or upload large files
• Keeping the phone away from the bed at night
• Removing headsets when not on a call
• Avoiding products that claim to block radio frequency energy. These products may actually increase your exposure.

Cyprus

The Republic of Cyprus, January 2017: The Ministry of Education and Culture issued a special encyclical banning and/or limiting WiFi networking in public kindergartens and primary schools. “Technology Harming Our Children” MP says  Annual Report Cyprus National Committee on Environment and Children’s Health

European Academy for Environmental Medicine

 EUROPAEM EMF Guideline 2016 for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of EMF-related health problems and illnesses gives an “overview of the current knowledge regarding EMF-related health risks and provides recommendations for the diagnosis, treatment and accessibility measures of EHS to improve and restore individual health outcomes as well as for the development of strategies for prevention.  This is a thorough, well researched and well-referenced scientific paper that is based on the 2012 Austrian Medical Association Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of EMF Illness 2012.    Abstract here EUROPAEM EMF Guideline 2016    Full Paper here  EUROPAEM EMF Guideline 2016 Full Paper

Canda

Report of the Standing Committee on Health,House of Commons in the Canadian Parliament (June 2015): Radiofrequency electromagnetic Radiation and the Health of Canadians. Research and testimony was submitted at public hearings looking at safe human exposure to radio frequency (RF) radiation. Several recommendations were made by the standing committee. These included:

• funding research on EMR and electro-sensitivity
• developing an awareness campaign relating to the safe use of wireless technology such as cell phones and Wi-Fi both in the home and at school
• consider marketing policy for advertising to children under 14.  Canadian Report EMR 2015

France

France: Law on Public Exposure to Electromagnetic Waves Adopted.  Feb 5, 2015. The French National Library along with other libraries in Paris, and a number of universities had already removed all wi-fi networks. The current law includes the following:

• a prohibition on Wi-Fi installations in nursery schools,
• Wi-Fi turned off in schools when not in use
• yearly evaluations of EMR in public places to be available to citizens
• Wi-Fi hotspots to be labeled
• advertisements must recommend headsets
• annual electro-hypersensitivity report updated annually
• requires the National Agency for Health Food, Environmental and Work Safety to evaluate the risks and consequences of exposure to EMR
• asks that cell towers be turned to as low a power as possible to function. France Law EMR 2015  or  French government bans Wi-Fi in schools

Massachusetts, USA

Ashland Massachusetts Public Schools in 2015 developed a policy to reduce Wi-Fi in schools. A “best practices” policy is posted in every room.  Ashland Public Schools Best Practices to Limit Wi-Fi

Austria

The Austrian Medical Association recommendations to the public in 2012 to use wired internet connections instead of Wi Fi as well as how to identify, diagnose and treat electrosensitivity.  Guideline of the Austrian Medical Association for the diagnosis and treatment of EMF- related health problems and illnesses (EMF syndrome)

World Health organization

In  2011 the WHO/ International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) listed radio frequency electromagnetic radiation  as a Class 2B carcinogen.  A team of 31 scientists from 14 countries made the decision after reviewing scientific data on non-ionizing microwave  radiation and its association with brain tumors. IARC Classification RF EMR Class 2b Carcinogen

European Parliamentary Assembly

The 2011 European Parliament Resolution 1815: The potential dangers of electromagnetic fields and their effect on the environment. The goals listed include setting preventable thresholds for long term exposure, raising awareness throughout the community, and protecting “early warning” scientists. European Parliament 2011

Parliamentary Assembly of Europe Resolution 1815 (2011) The potential dangers of electromagnetic fields and their effect on the environment.

The mission of the Parliamentary Assembly of Europe is to preserve the environment, environmental health and prevent environmentally related health hazards. They have drafted a protocol concerning the rights of humans  to a healthy environment.

In 2011 they drafted a resolution 1815 to address the potential dangers of electromagnetic fields including radiofrequency radiation. They  note”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.”

The Parliamentary Assembly recommends the following:

• Respect of the precautionary principle
• That the ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) principle is applied,
• 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;
• 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,
• 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
• 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;
• 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;
• 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;
• Recommend the use of wired, fixed telephones at home or, failing that, models which do not permanently emit pulse waves;
• Pay heed to and protect “early warning” scientists;
• Formulate a human-rights-oriented definition of the precautionary and ALARA principles;
• Increase public funding of independent research,
• Create independent commissions for the allocation of public funds;
• Make the transparency of lobby groups mandatory;

European Environmental Agency

European Environmental Agency(EEA) Report 2007. Professor  McGlade. Radiation from everyday devices assessed. A new report raising concerns about the effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF) on human health calls for tougher safety standards to regulate radiation from mobile phones, power lines and many other sources of exposure in daily life. Radiation risk from everyday devices

“There are many examples of the failure to use the precautionary principle in the past, which have resulted in serious and often irreversible damage to health and environments. Appropriate, precautionary and proportionate actions taken now to avoid plausible and potentially serious threats to health from EMF are likely to be seen as prudent and wise from future perspectives. We must remember that precaution is one of the principles of EU environmental policy,” states Professor Jacqueline McGlade,

European Environmental Agency(EEA) Report 2000. Late Lesssons from Early Warnings. The Precautionary Principle 1896-2000. Environmental  issue report No 22. European Environmental Agency(EEA) Report 2000. Late Lessons. Late Lessons Early Warnings

Israel

Israel Health Ministry Calls for Parents to Limit Kid’s use of cell phones. July 27, 2008. Israel Health Ministry calls for limiting cell phone use

India

India bans advertisements of  pregnant women and children in mobile phone ads or near cell antennae. June 2008. India bans cell phone advertisements

Policy Recommendations

India

Report on Possible Impacts of Communication Towers on Wildlife Including Birds and Bees. (2010) Ministry of the Environment and Forests (MOEF) India. A 2010 review paper from the Ministry of Environment and Forests in India reviewed all available peer reviewed research on the impacts of wireless radiofrequency (RF) on living organisms, including birds and bees, plants, animals and humans.  Of 919 articles collected 593 showed adverse impacts. In each category of organism, over 60% of the research indicated harm to that biological species. The report looked at 5 mandates * Review literature * Assess impacts of increasing cell towers * Suggest mitigation of effects * Formulate regulatory guidelines for installation of cell towers * Identify research gaps.

Report on Possible Impacts of Communication Towers on Wildlife Including Birds and Bees. Ministry of Environment and Forest. India. (2010) http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/content/341385/report-on-possible-impacts-of-communication-towers-on-wildlife-including-birds-and-bees/    Here is PDF  of the Report on Possible Impacts of Communication Towers on Wildlife Including Birds and Bees. (2010) Ministry of the Environment and Forests (MOEF) India.

Russia

Click to access 7520958381.pdf

For a full list of updated resolutions you can visit

Environmental Health Trust Database of Worldwide Policy on Wireless Technology.EHTrust International Policies on EMR