ICNIRP publishes major RF science review

A major international review of the science related to mobile telephony and health was published on 14th July 2009. The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation (ICNIRP) has published on its website a review of the scientific evidence concerning exposure to high frequency electromagnetic fields (including the radiofrequency fields used in mobile telephony).

The ICNIRP review concluded that:

• "Results of epidemiological studies to date give no consistent or convincing evidence of a causal relation between RF exposure and any adverse health effect. On the other hand these studies have too many deficiencies to rule out an association."
• "Whilst it is in principle impossible to disprove the possible existence of non-thermal interactions, the plausibility of various non-thermal mechanisms that have been proposed is very low."
• "The evidence from double-blind provocation studies suggests that subjective symptoms, such as headaches, that have been identified by some individuals as associated with RF exposure, whilst real enough to the individuals concerned, are not causally related to EMF exposure."
• "The experimental data do not suggest so far that children are more susceptible than adults to RF radiation, but few relevant studies have been conducted."
• "Although the likelihood is low that fields emanating from base stations would create a health hazard, because of their weakness, this possibility is nevertheless a concern for many people. To date no acceptable study on any outcome has been published on this."

The review recognises that more research is needed to fill information gaps and recommends ongoing long-term population studies including better exposure assessment with an emphasis on children given the present lack of epidemiological data regarding them.

ICNIRP's review of science will be part of the World Health Oraganisation's risk assessment of high frequency electromagnetic fields and health expected to be completed within the next two years.

In addition, on 13th August 2009 ICNIRP issued a statement reconfirming the 1998 EMF exposure guidelines. The ICNIRP statement concluded:

• "It is the opinion of ICNIRP that the scientific literature published since the 1998 guidelines has provided no evidence of any adverse effects below the basic restrictions and does not necessitate an immediate revision of its guidance on limiting exposure to high frequency electromagnetic fields."
• "Therefore, ICNIRP reconfirms the 1998 basic restrictions in the frequency range 100 kHz-300 GHz until further notice."

The mobile operators acknowledge that it is important to keep supporting high quality independent research in accordance with the WHO research agenda. UK mobile phone network operators are supporting the UK Mobile Telecommunications and Health Research Programme (MTHR) which includes a long term study, COSMOS, on the use of mobile phones and health.

Both the review of the science and the statement on the public exposure guidelines provides further reassurance that the scientific evidence on exposure to radiowaves does not suggest any adverse health effects.

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