Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 April 2018
1190. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to safety concerns from being constantly exposed to mobile phones or Wi-Fi; if studies have been undertaken here or at EU level regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16100/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of safety concerns in relation to exposure to non-ionising radiation (NIR) from mobile phones and WiFi. Extensive research in this area has been undertaken at national and international level by a number of organisations, including the European Union and the World Health Organization.
The International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), which is a body of independent scientists with extensive experience in researching the possible health effects of exposure to NIR, has published guidelines in this area which are widely accepted internationally, including in Ireland. All available evidence to date indicates that no adverse short- or long-term health effects have been demonstrated to arise from exposure to NIR at levels below the limits recommended by the ICNIRP. WiFi systems transmit at low power levels and are in widespread use. All modern short range radio systems such as WiFi, Bluetooth or Ultra-wide Band are assessed for safety by the strength and frequency of their radio emissions. These emissions are then compared with the ICNIRP limits, and are considered safe if below the specified limits. The advantage of having adopted international exposure limits is that they provide manufacturers with information on the required levels of electromagnetic field exposure within which they must manufacture their devices. Within the European Union, devices having the “CE” mark are considered to be safe for their intended purpose. In the Irish context, two major reports have been published on NIR, the 2007 Health Effects of Electromagnetic Fields available at:
https://www.dccae.gov.ie/documents/Health%20Effects%20of%20Electromagnetic%20Fields.pdf. and a 2016 report by the Netherlands National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) Electromagnetic Fields in the Irish Context available at:
https://www.dccae.gov.ie/documents/Electromagnetic%20Fields%20in%20the%20Irish%20Context%202015.pdf. The main findings of both these reports substantiate the view of the World Health Organization and ICNIRP that there is insufficient evidence to establish a causal relationship between exposure to low-frequency electromagnetic fields and cancer.
