Proposal 15
Recognize all biologically harmful parameters of RF EMF as a pollutant. Include them in all relevant EU Policies and Directives.
Detailed explanation
RF EMF exposure has increased from extremely low natural levels by about 10
Arguments for accepting RF EMF as a potential pollutant
Citation from Planetary electromagnetic pollution: it is time to assess its impact published in www.thelancet.com:
“The rise in planetary electromagnetic pollution due to the exponential increase in the use of wireless personal communication devices (eg, mobile or cordless phones and WiFi or Bluetooth-enabled devices) and the infrastructure facilitating them, levels of exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation around the 1 GHz frequency band, which is mostly used for modern wireless communications, have increased from extremely low natural levels by about 1018 times (figure). Radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation is also used for radar, security scanners, smart meters, and medical equipment (MRI, diathermy, and radiofrequency ablation). It is plausibly the most rapidly increasing anthropogenic environmental exposure since the mid-20th century, and levels will surge considerably again, as technologies like the Internet of Things and 5G add millions more radiofrequency transmitters around us.”
Arguments for RF EMF being potentially biologically harmful
Citation from Manmade Electromagnetic Fields and Oxidative Stress—Biological Effects and Consequences for Health published in The International Journal of Molecular Sciences, March 2021:
"Concomitant with the ever-expanding use of electrical appliances and mobile communication systems, public and occupational exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) in the extremely-low-frequency and radiofrequency range has become a widely debated environmental risk factor for health. Radiofrequency (RF) EMF and extremely-low-frequency (ELF) MF have been classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), potentially leading to cellular or systemic oxidative stress, was frequently found to be influenced by EMF exposure in animals and cells. In this review, we summarize key experimental findings on oxidative stress related to EMF exposure from animal and cell studies of the last decade. The observations are discussed in the context of molecular mechanisms and functionalities relevant to health such as neurological function, genome stability, immune response, and reproduction. Most animal and many cell studies showed increased oxidative stress caused by RF-EMF and ELF-MF. In order to estimate the risk for human health by manmade exposure, experimental studies in humans and epidemiological studies need to be considered as well.”
Legal Arguments for our proposal are:
Given the above arguments and art. 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 24, 35, 37, in the CFR it is imperative to accept RF EMF as an pollutant that must be monitored and restricted for proper protection of all life on Earth.
Updated in January 2023: More studies:
- Levitt et al 2022: Effects of non-ionizing electromagnetic fields on flora and fauna, Part 2 impacts: how species interact with natural and man-made EMF; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34243228/
Citation in Abstract: "It is time to recognize ambient EMF as a novel form of pollution and develop rules at regulatory agencies that designate air as 'habitat' so EMF can be regulated like other pollutants." - Levitt et al 2022: Effects of non-ionizing electromagnetic fields on flora and fauna, Part 3. Exposure standards, public policy, laws, and future directions; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34563106/
Citations: "Existing environmental laws, such as the National Environmental Policy Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in the U.S. and others used in Canada and throughout Europe, should be strengthened and enforced. New laws should be written to accommodate the ever-increasing EMF exposures."
"Cyto- and geno-toxic effects have long been observed. It is time to recognize ambient EMF as a novel form of pollution and develop rules at regulatory agencies that designate air as 'habitat' so EMF can be regulated like other pollutants."
"Long-term chronic low-level EMF exposure standards should be set accordingly for wildlife, including, but not limited to, the redesign of wireless devices, as well as infrastructure, in order to reduce the rising ambient levels."
