Questions raised about the health impact of electromagnetic fields

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The BioInitiative Working Group, an international group of scientists, researchers and public health policy professionals, has published in collaboration with the European Environment Agency (EEA), a new report which raises concerns about the negative effects of electromagnetic radiation from mobile phones, power lines and other sources, and calls for new safety standards.


The report, “Bioinitiative: A Rationale for a Biologically-Based Public Exposure Standard for Electromagnetic Fields”, published on 31 August 2007, provides scientific information on health impacts when people are exposed to electromagnetic radiation, documents scientific evidence raising worries about childhood leukemia (from power lines and other electrical exposures), brain tumors and acoustic neuromas (from cell and cordless phones) and Alzheimer’s disease. Thee report, notes that there is evidence that electromagnetic fields (EMF) are a risk factor for both childhood and adult cancers.

The authors reviewed more than 2.000 scientific studies and reviews, and concluded that the existing public safety limits are inadequate to protect public health. They conclude that the balance of evidence shows the need for new safety limits, and limits on further deployment of risky technologies.

The European Environment Agency (EEA) contributed a chapter to the report drawn from their study ’Late lessons from early warnings: the precautionary principle 1896-2000’ published in 2001.

For further information:

- Report “Bioinitiative: A Rationale for a Biologically-Based Public Exposure Standard for Electromagnetic Fields”

- BioInitiative Working Group

EPHA related articles:

- Better protection for workers against electromagnetic waves
- NGO strategy conference: making our environment work for children’s health - final report now available online

Last modified on October 31 2007.