Limerick East): A considerable volume of reasearch has been carried out internationally by various scientifc and health authorities including the World Health Organisation, into the possible adverse effects of non-ionising radiation associated with electromagnetic fields. All significant research in this area is monitored here by the Department of Transport, Energy and Communications, with whom my Department maintains liaison in relation to the human health aspects.
As regards electricity installations, the general body of scientific evidence to date has not established an association between this form of radiation and ill-health. As regards mobile phone base stations, the most recent position on health aspects can be found in the statement issued in April 1996 by the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection, which assessed all recent published scientific literature in the area. This concluded that there is no substantive evidence that adverse health effects can occur in people exposed to levels of non-ionising radiation at or below guidelines set by the International Radiation Protection Association in 1988. According to measurements made by Forbairt at a number of locations, the highest exposure levels in the vicinity of base station tower in Ireland are about 1,000 times lower than the IRPA levels.
