Rory O'Hanlon
Question:232 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Health and Children the position of the World Health Organisation regarding mobile telephone masts and their effect on health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11685/99]
Written Answers. - Communications Masts.
Research in the area of electromagnetic radiation is carried out by bodies like the World Health Organisation, the International Radiation Protection Association and the International Com mission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection. I am advised that the general body of scientific evidence to date has not established substantive evidence of any adverse health effects from electromagnetic fields generated by mobile phone masts.
Research is ongoing and the World Health Organisation in 1996 launched a five year research programme, the international EMF project, to assess the health and environmental aspects of electric and magnetic fields. This project is being carried out over a five year period and will bring together current knowledge and available resources of key international and national agencies and scientific institutions to arrive at scientifically sound recommendations for health risk assessments.
At EU level the Council of Health Ministers is currently considering a recommendation on the subject of public exposure to electromagnetic fields. This recommendation if adopted will establish a European wide standard which each member state will apply to its own country. The measure as currently drafted provides inter alia for a system of ongoing monitoring of the ambient exposure of the public to electromagnetic fields from all sources including mobile phone masts.
Ireland supports this measure and I will make a further statement on the matter when the European measure has been finalised.