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Home » Government Brief: Wireless Radiation, EMF Exposure, Public Health and Environment Scientific Findings and Policy Recommendations

Government Brief: Wireless Radiation, EMF Exposure, Public Health and Environment Scientific Findings and Policy Recommendations

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Government Brief: Wireless Radiation, EMF Exposure, Public Health and Environment

Scientific Research and Policy Recommendations of the International Commission on the Biological Effects of Electromagnetic Fields

Download ICBE-EMF Policy Factsheet

 

The International Commission on the Biological Effects of Electromagnetic Fields (ICBE-EMF) is an international commission of distinguished scientists and researchers in engineering, medicine, biology, and public health, with decades of research focused on the biological effects of non-ionizing electromagnetic fields (EMF). 

The ICBE-EMF has created a factsheet for policymakers. Download PDF

We recommend science-based policies to protect public health and the environment. 5G, 6G, and wireless network densification should be halted until up-to-date, science-based regulations are in place as the science is now sufficient to support a risk mitigation approach.  Stronger safeguards, oversight and transparency measures are needed to ensure that health and environmental protections keep pace with the rapid expansion of wireless and electrical infrastructure. Public exposure to EMF should be dramatically reduced to protect our future.

ICBE-EMF has published several peer-reviewed papers:

  • ICBE-EMF paper in Environmental Health documents the scientific evidence indicating that current wireless radiation guidelines fail to protect public health.
  • ICBE-EMF paper in Environmental Health analyzing the cancer data from the $30 million U.S. National Toxicology Program (NTP) animal study with EPA methodology concluded that FCC/ICNIRP limits are at least 200 times too high to protect us from cancer risk with 8 hours per day of exposure.
  • ICBE-EMF paper in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health outlines practical engineering solutions to dramatically reduce cellphone radiation emissions.

What is the issue with cell towers, cell phones, 5G, and wireless networks?

  • Wireless radiofrequency (RF) radiation, a type of non-ionizing EMF, is currently regulated under exposure limits put forth by the FCC, ICNIRP, and IEEE. These limits are based on outdated science, inaccurate assumptions, and fail to reflect the growing body of evidence on health and environmental risk.
  • Daily exposures are increasing among all age groups and in all settings (home, school, workplace).
  • Hundreds of scientists are calling for stricter, evidence-based safety limits and policies to reduce exposure in order to protect public health and the environment.

Why do current human exposure guidelines for cell towers, cell phones, and wireless networks fail to protect the public?

  • Current FCC, IEEE and ICNIRP limits assume heat is the only harmful effect. These limits are based on studies conducted in the 1980s involving 40–60-minute exposures in 5 monkeys and 8 rats.
  • Significant scientific research has reported adverse effects at non-heating levels allowed by current regulations, including DNA damage, cancer, sperm damage, neurological effects, and oxidative stress.
  • Limits do not adequately protect the vulnerable: children, medically sensitive individuals, and the developing fetus. Research has found that children can absorb higher rates of wireless in their more sensitive developing brains and bodies.

Recommendations for Policymakers

  • Ensure a robust, independent scientific review of the research.
  • Update exposure limits so they are science-based and offer greater protection to the public’s health and our environment
  • Halt 5G and wireless network densification until up-to-date science-based regulations are in place.
  • Adopt a risk mitigation approach with policies that reduce exposures, especially for children, such as distancing cell towers and transmission lines from homes, and installing safer Ethernet connections in schools.
  • Fund independent bioeffects research
  • Strengthen transparency, compliance and oversight
  • Measure and monitor EMF levels with data posted on publicly accessible websites.  
  • Expand public awareness on why and how to reduce exposure
  • Promote industry research and designs that provide safer technology

Scientific References

ICBE-EMF Factsheets

ICBE-EMF Resources

Download ICBE-EMF Policy Factsheet
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