WHO survey finds 45 countries provide advice on limiting exposure cell phone radiation

WHO survey finds 45 countries provide advice on limiting exposure cell phone radiation

Risk Management Policies and Practices Regarding Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields: Results from a WHO Survey

Dhungel A, Zmirou-Navier D, van Deventer E. Risk Management Policies and Practices Regarding Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields: Results from a WHO Survey. Radiat Prot Dosimetry. 2014 Nov 13. pii: ncu324. [Epub ahead of print].

Abstract

This study aims to describe current risk management practices and policies across the world in relation to personal exposures from devices emitting radiofrequency fields, environmental exposures from fixed installations and exposures in the work environment.

Data from 86 countries representing all WHO regions were collected through a survey.

The majority of countries (76.8 %) had set exposure limits for mobile devices, almost all (90.7 %) had set public exposure limits for fixed installations and 76.5 % had specified exposure limits for personnel in occupational settings. A number of other policies had been implemented at the national level, ranging from information provisions on how to reduce personal exposures and restrictions of usage for certain populations, such as children or pregnant women to prevention of access around base stations.

This study suggests that countries with higher mobile subscriptions tend to have set radiofrequency exposure limits for mobile devices and to have provisions on exposure measurements about fixed installations.

Open Access Paper: http://bit.ly/1u4jn6i

Key Findings

45 countries had provisions for providing advice on limiting RF exposure. The target public was usually the general population, but some countries tailor messages to specific groups, including children (N = 23), pregnant women (N = 9) and people with biomedical devices (N = 14). The most common information provided included suggestions to use hands-free kits (69.0 %), to reduce call time (44.4 %), use text messaging (35.6 %), avoid calling with low signals (24.4 %) or use phones with low SAR (22.2 %). This and additional technical information on SAR and RF studies (31.1 %) were provided to the public primarily through printed materials (84.0 %), websites (65.9 %) or mass media (43.2 %).

28 countries encouraged voluntary measures or made other recommendations on the use of mobile phone by children. Among these, 15 countries aimed to moderate the use of mobile phone among children by providing information to parents. Two countries (Russia and Zambia) declared that they have set advisory age limits for mobile phone use, whereas in France, a legal provision bans advertisements promoting the sale or use of mobile phones by people under 14. [As of March 1, 2014, Belgium has adopted a ban on sales of children's mobile phones and children's advertising.]

Excerpts

.... a survey was undertaken by the Radiation Programme in the Department of Public Health and Environment of the World Health Organization. The survey took place in 2012 in the course of the scientific update of WHO's Environmental Health Criteria (EHC) monograph on RF EMF ...

In terms of study representation, the study covered responses from 44 % (N = 86) of the 194 WHO member states that constituted 74.9 % of the global world population ...

Over two-thirds of responding countries (64.6 %; N = 53) reported using ICNIRP international guidelines, including member states of the European Union ... Seven countries (Bolivia, Chile, Honduras, India, Republic of Korea, Trinidad and Tobago and the USA) reported following the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) limits, which is based on exposure limits recommended by IEEE and ICES (International Committee for Electromagnetic Safety). Canada and Russia followed their own evidence-based national limits, like Australia whose limits were closely related to the ICNIRP guidelines.

Among 82 responding countries, 76.8 % (N = 63) required labelling of mobile devices to inform purchasers on SAR values ...

Provisions for advising the public on how to reduce personal exposure to RF fields emitted by mobile devices

Of 78 countries responding to this question, 45 had provisions for providing advice on limiting RF exposure. The target public was usually the general population, but some countries tailor messages to specific groups, including children (N = 23), pregnant women (N = 9) and people with biomedical devices (N = 14). In most cases, these messages were delivered directly by a ministry or other national authority.
The most common information provided included suggestions to use hands-free kits (69.0 %), to reduce call time (44.4 %), use text messaging (35.6 %), avoid calling with low signals (24.4 %) or use phones with low SAR (22.2 %). This and additional technical information on SAR and RF studies (31.1 %) were provided to the public primarily through printed materials (84.0 %), websites (65.9 %) or mass media (43.2 %). 

Provisions on information and voluntary limitations of use of mobile phones by children

No country reported a complete ban on mobile phone use by children. However, 36 % of surveyed countries (N = 28) encouraged voluntary measures or made other recommendations on the use of mobile phone by children. Among these, 53.6 % (N = 15) aimed to moderate the use of mobile phone among children by providing information to parents. Two countries (Russia and Zambia) declared that they have set advisory age limits for usage of mobile phones, whereas in France, a legal provision bans advertisements promoting the sale or use of mobile phones by people under 14. 

Exposure limits for fixed installations

There were 16 countries reporting that the established exposure limits were lower than the international guidelines, either under an ALARA (‘As Low As Reasonably Achievable’) principle (N = 3, 3.5 %) or a precautionary approach (N = 11, 12.8 %). 

Requirement for RF measurements around fixed installations

Periodic RF measurements are most often done to ensure that radiation emissions are within the defined exposure limits. Of 79 respondents, 81 % (N = 64) mentioned that they have provisions to request RF measurements around fixed installation sites. While some countries, such as the USA, do not have a national provision, some states or cities (e.g. San Francisco) require RF measurements at fixed sites.

Discussion
... the lack of clarity on the safety of long-term exposure at much lower levels has added to public concern over exposure, especially when non-voluntary, as with RF EMF from cellular base stations. WHO member states have stated their need for support to the effective function of their communication networks while protecting their citizens from known or possible health risks. In the absence of a global consensus on exposure limits and safety precautions, countries are adopting or adapting their own RF EMF safety policies. 
Funding
This work was supported by the EHESP School of Public Health, the French National Agency for Health Security [research and development grant 2013-CRD-04] and the World Health Organization as a part of the preparation on WHO EHC Monograph on RF EMF.

--

Joel M. Moskowitz, Ph.D.
Director, Center for Family and Community Health
School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley
Center: http://cfch.berkeley.edu

Electromagnetic Radiation Safety

Website:              http://www.saferemr.com
Facebook:            http://www.facebook.com/SaferEMR
News Releases:    http://pressroom.prlog.org/jmm716/
Twitter:                 @berkeleyprc