Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 November 2013
257. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider engaging the Radiological Institute of Ireland to undertake a study of radioactive emissions from pylons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48266/13]
View answerMy Department took over policy matters relating to non-ionising radiation in 2007. However , the powers of the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) have not yet been extended to include non-ionising radiation with in their remit; this matter is under consideration in the context of the proposed merger of the RPII with the Environmental Protection Agency, scheduled for 2014. The issue of the potential health effects of electromagnetic fields was the subject of an Expert Group Report commissioned by the Government and published in March 2007. This Report, entitled Health Effects of Electromagnetic Fields , is available for download on my Department’s website (www.environ.ie). The Report examined a wide range of issues in relation to the potential health effects of electromagnetic fields, including those produced from electricity pylons. The Expert Group reported that the majority scientific opinion was that no adverse short - or long-term effects have been demonstrated from exposure to electromagnetic fields at levels below the limits recommended by the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP).
With regard to Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) fields of non-ionising radiation emitted by electricity power lines, the Report concluded that there is limited scientific evidence of adverse health effects. The Expert Group recommended that precautionary measures be used, where appropriate, and that Ireland continue to adopt and enforce the international guidelines developed by the ICNIRP and endorsed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the European Union. A substantial volume of research on this issue is being carried out internationally by regulatory bodies with responsibilities for monitoring the health effects of electromagnetic fields. The findings of this research are being monitored by the WHO’s EMF Project; it is expected that a report will issue in 2014. My Department will continue to monitor this and other scientific evidence as it is made available, and will consider any policy implications in this context.
