Sep 22, 2022
Nyberg N.R., , McCredden J.E., Weller S.G., Hardell L. The European Union prioritises economics over health in the rollout of radiofrequency technologies. Reviews on Environmental Health, 2022. doi:10.1515/reveh-
Abstract
The fifth generation of radiofrequency communication, 5G, is currently being rolled out worldwide. Since September 2017, the EU 5G Appeal
has been sent six times to the EU, requesting a moratorium on the
rollout of 5G. This article reviews the 5G Appeal and the EU’s
subsequent replies, including the extensive cover letter sent to the EU
in September 2021, requesting stricter guidelines for exposures to
radiofrequency radiation (RFR). The Appeal notes the EU’s internal
conflict between its approach to a wireless technology-led future, and
the need to protect the health and safety of its citizens. It critiques
the reliance of the EU on the current guidelines given by the
International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP),
that consider only heating and no other health relevant biological
effects from RFR. To counteract the ICNIRP position, the 2021 cover
letter briefly presented recent research from the EU’s own expert
groups, from a large collection of European and other international
studies, and from previous reviews of the effects of RFR on humans and
the environment. The 5G Appeal asserts that the majority of scientific
evidence points to biological effects, many with the potential for harm,
occurring below the ICNIRP public limits. Evidence to establish this
position is drawn from studies showing changes to neurotransmitters and
receptors, damage to cells, proteins, DNA, sperm, the immune system, and
human health, including cancer. The 2021 Appeal goes on to warn that 5G
signals are likely to additionally alter the behaviour of oxygen and
water molecules at the quantum level, unfold proteins, damage skin, and
cause harm to insects, birds, frogs, plants and animals. Altogether,
this evidence establishes a high priority for the European Union towards
(i) replacing the current flawed guidelines with protective thresholds,
and (ii) placing a moratorium on 5G deployment so as to (iii) allow
industry-independent scientists the time needed to propose new
health-protective guidelines. This 2021 Appeal’s relevance becomes even
more pressing in the context of the EU plans to roll out the sixth
generation of wireless technologies, 6G, further adding to the known
risks of RFR technology for humans and the environment. This all leads
to an important question: Do EU decision makers have the right to ignore
EU´s own directives by prioritising economic gain over human and
environmental health?
Excerpts
Exposure of captured agencies
The deficits of industry-biased bodies are now beginning to be exposed. In 2021, the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) was deemed by a US Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruling as
having been negligent for two decades in its role as protector of
public health, in that when it decided that its 1996 emission guidelines
protected public health, it neglected to consider (a) impacts of long
term wireless exposure, (b) unique impacts to children, (c) testimony of
people injured by wireless radiation, (d) impacts to wildlife and the
environment and (e) impacts to the developing brain and reproduction
[96]. The book Captured Agency
describes the compromised position of the FCC in its role as public
protector [97]. The compromised actions of ICNIRP since their inception,
including inviting industry representatives to the table, are described
by Maisch [98, Chapter 4]. As noted by the Turin Court of Appeal [43],
opinions from such conflicted advisory bodies as ICNIRP are not
reliable.
Safety-first
Alternative guidelines to protect citizens have been created by four groups of industry-independent scientists, based on best available scientific evidence; i.e., setting exposure levels lower than where biological effects with health implications have been found. As described in [101] these four groups recommend the following limits for human exposures to RF-EMR:
- Building biologists [102] suggest a very low radiation level of no more than 0.1 µW/m2 (in sleeping areas);
- EuropaEM-EMF Environmental Medicine researchers [103] suggest 1 µW/m2 during the night and 10 µW/m2 during the day time;
- The BioInitiative-group conclusions (2012 update) [20], made by 29 prominent researchers, and based on 2,200+ scientific reports, suggest 3–6 µW/m2 as the upper limit for exposures;
- The Council of Europe (CoE) Resolution 1815 [104] Section 8.2.1 says
set preventative thresholds for levels of long-term exposure to
microwaves in all indoor areas, in accordance with the precautionary
principle, not exceeding 0.6 V per metre [1,000 µW/m2], and in the
medium term to reduce it to 0.2 V per metre [100 µW/m2].
The above comparisons reveal that
ICNIRP and most European states allow incident power densities at least a
million times higher than the first three independent advisory bodies
mentioned above. This is because the ICNIRP guidelines consider only
temperature rises in “tissue simulants” in plastic “heads” but no other
risks, like biological effects on living glial cells, blood or DNA,
which have been well documented in EU’s sponsored research and reviews
[1, 3, 4, 6, 7].
Concluding remarks
At the current
juncture, millions of EU citizens are relying on the EU to address the
issues raised in the EU 5G Appeal. The EU decision makers need to put
aside their industry-fuelled fantasies of a digital saviour for mankind
and instead, ensure that industry acts according to EU laws, made to
prioritise humans and planetary health above industry profit or science
fiction futures. Any economic benefits from 5G are likely to be
outweighed by the risk of harm to the health of billions of people
around the world [33].
If the EU continues
to fail to act on these warnings, Europe may end up being faced with a
non-reversible burgeoning health impact on humans, especially children
and the environment.
To allow the levels and
frequencies of exposures to continue unfettered is to put the world
population and the environment at great risk, especially young people [28].
Open access paper: https://www.degruyter.com/
--
Sep 5, 2019 (updated Sep 9, 2022)
As of today, 424 scientists and doctors from 47 nations have signed The 5G Appeal which calls for a moratorium on the deployment of 5G, the fifth generation of cellular technology.
The Appeal asserts that, "5G will substantially increase exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) on top of the 2G, 3G, 4G, Wi-Fi, etc. for telecommunications already in place. RF-EMF has been proven to be harmful for humans and the environment."
For a list of signatories see http://www.5gappeal.eu/signatories-to-scientists-5g-appeal/.
Apr 26, 2018
As of today, 424 scientists and doctors from 47 nations have signed The 5G Appeal which calls for a moratorium on the deployment of 5G, the fifth generation of cellular technology.
The Appeal asserts that, "5G will substantially increase exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) on top of the 2G, 3G, 4G, Wi-Fi, etc. for telecommunications already in place. RF-EMF has been proven to be harmful for humans and the environment."
Apr 26, 2018
International Society of Doctors for the Environment Support 5G Moratorium
In April, 2018, the International Society of Doctors for the Environment (ISDE) and its member organizations in 27 countries, adopted a declaration calling for a moratorium on the deployment of 5G (fifth generation cellular technology) in the European Union.
The declaration is entitled, "5G networks in European Countries: appeal for a standstill in the respect of the precautionary principle."
"We believe it should be unethical to ignore the available evidence waiting a possible “a posteriori” demonstration of health damages in the presence of a present and potentially manageable risk for public health.
Thus, in the respect of the precautionary principle and of the WHO principle “health in all policies”, we believe suitable the request of a standstill for the “5G experimentations” throughout Europe until an adequate and active involvement of public institutions operating in the field of environmental health (health ministry, environmental ministry, national environmental and health agencies) will be effectively planned."
In the United States, the ISDE member organization is Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR).
Apr 16, 2018
Official 5G Appeal Website Launched
The official website, www.5gappeal.eu, for the 5G Appeal has been launched. The website contains the text of the Appeal, the current list of signatories, an explanation of 5G, and related news stories.
The Appeal asserts that, "5G will substantially increase exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) on top of the 2G, 3G, 4G, Wi-Fi, etc. for telecommunications already in place. RF-EMF has been proven to be harmful for humans and the environment."
More than 200 scientists and doctors from 38 nations have signed the declaration calling for a moratorium on the deployment of 5G (fifth generation) cellular technology.
Oct 25, 2017
European Commission Responds with Denial
and Empty Promises to Call for 5G Moratorium
On October 12, the
European Commission (EC) issued its response to
a September 13 declaration that demands a moratorium on planned 5G expansion,
the fifth generation of mobile communication technology. To date, the
declaration has been signed by over 180 scientists and doctors from 35 nations.
The Commission's
response contradicts the basic assertion of the declaration. The EC claims that
current limits on electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure established by the
International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) are adequate
to protect the population, and that these limits apply to the frequencies to be
deployed for 5G.
Signers of the
declaration argue that these limits were designed to protect the population
from the effects of heating attributable to brief EMF exposures but were not
intended to protect people from chronic exposure to low intensity EMF.
The declaration cites
language from the 2015 International EMF Scientist Appeal which has now been signed by more than 230
scientists who have published peer-reviewed research on EMF and biology or
health. Prior to the current controversy about 5G, these experts reported
“serious concerns” regarding the ubiquitous and increasing exposure to
EMF. Their appeal refers to numerous scientific publications which have
shown that EMF “affects living organisms at levels well below most
international and national guidelines.” These effects include increased
cancer risk, neurological disorders, and reproductive harm. The Appeal calls
for the strengthening of EMF guidelines and regulatory standards.
In addition, the
September declaration cites the International Agency for Research on Cancer's
classification of radio frequency radiation as “possibly carcinogenic” in
2011; recommendations of the 2015 Brussels Congress on multiple chemical
sensitivity and electromagnetic hypersensitivity; results from the U.S.
National Toxicology Program study in 2016 finding cell phone radiation causes
DNA damage and cancer in rats; and the Europa EM-EMF 2016 Guideline that
long-term EMF exposure is a risk factor for chronic disease and infertility.
The declaration for a 5G
moratorium argues that …
“current
ICNIRP ‘safety guidelines’ are obsolete. All proofs of harm mentioned above
arise although the radiation is below the ICNIRP safety guidelines. Therefore
new safety standards are necessary. The reason for the misleading guidelines is
that conflict of interest of ICNIRP members due to their relationships with
telecommunications or electric companies undermine the impartiality that should
govern the regulation of Public Exposure Standards for non-ionizing
radiation….”
The EC claims that it
“is not aware of any conflicts of interests of members of international bodies
such as ICNIRP….”
The EC maintains that
“Digital technologies and mobile communication technologies, including high
speed internet, will be the backbone of Europe's future economy.”
The EC letter
acknowledges that citizens deserve appropriate protection against EMF from wireless devices, and concludes with the following empty promise,
"Please
be assured that the Commission will pursue scrutiny of the independent
scientific evidence available to ensure the highest health protection of
our citizens."
The EC response letter
was sent electronically to the authors of the declaration, Professors Rainer
Nyberg and Lennart Hardell. The letter was signed by John F. Ryan, the director
of public health, country knowledge, crisis management in the EC
Directorate—General Health and Food Safety.
September 13, 2017
Scientists and Doctors Say Increased Radiation
from Cell Towers Poses Potential Risks
(Örebro, Sweden) Over 180 scientists and doctors from 35 countries sent a declaration to officials of the European Commission today demanding a moratorium on the increase of cell antennas for planned 5G expansion. Concerns over health effects from higher radiation exposure include potential neurological impacts, infertility, and cancer.
“The wireless industry is trying to deploy technology that may have some very real unintended harmful consequences,” explains one of the organizers of the letter, Lennart Hardell, MD, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden. “Scientific studies from years ago along with many new studies are consistently identifying harmful human health impacts when wireless products are tested properly using conditions that reflect actual exposures. With hazards at those exposures, we are very concerned that the added exposure to 5G radiation could result in tragic, irreversible harm.”
5G expansion, which is designed to carry higher loads of data more rapidly through wireless transmission, will require the construction of cell towers every 10-20 houses in urban areas.
In their letter to the European Commission, the scientists write:
“We, the undersigned, more than 180 scientists and doctors from 35 nations, recommend a moratorium on the roll-out of the fifth generation, 5G, for telecommunication until potential hazards for human health and the environment have been fully investigated by scientists independent from industry.”University of California, Berkeley public health researcher Joel Moskowitz, PhD, explains:
“Peer-reviewed research has documented industry influence on studies of the health impacts of wireless radiation. We are insisting on a moratorium on 5G until non-industry research can be conducted to ensure the safety of the public.”Moskowitz is one of the advisors to an earlier effort, the International EMF Scientist Appeal, a petition submitted to the United Nations and World Health Organization in 2015. The Appeal has now been signed by more than 240 scientists from 42 nations—all have published peer-reviewed research on the biologic or health effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF).
Since the Appeal was published, the world’s largest $25 million study, conducted by the National Toxicology Program in the US, shows statistically significant increases in the incidence of brain and heart cancer in animals exposed to cellphone radiation at levels below international guidelines. This supports human studies on cellphone radiation and brain tumour risk, as demonstrated in many peer-reviewed scientific studies.
The Appeal and this week’s declaration identify health
concerns from exposure to radiofrequency radiation including ...
“ … increased
cancer risk, cellular stress, increase in harmful free radicals, genetic
damages, structural and functional changes of the reproductive system, learning
and memory deficits, neurological disorders, and negative impacts on general
well-being in humans. Damage goes well beyond the human race, as there is
growing evidence of harmful effects to both plant and animal life.”
Roll-out of 5G in the US
In California, city and county governments are opposing SB 649,an industry-sponsored bill which overrides local control over the wireless industry’s access to utility poles and public buildings for 5G deployment. Environmental health advocates fear that exposure to the added radiation from 5G infrastructure will contribute to increased health problems.
“If this bill passes, many people will suffer greatly, and needlessly, as a direct result. This sounds like hyperbole. It is not.” according to Beatrice Golomb, MD, PhD, Professor of Medicine in the medical school at the University of California, San Diego. In her open letter which summarizes the research on the effects of radio frequency radiation, she concludes, ”Let our focus be on safer, wired and well shielded technology – not more wireless.”
The declaration and list of signatories can be found here:
http://bit.ly/5Gappeal170913a
http://bit.ly/5Gappeal170913a
Media Inquiries:
Finland: Rainer Nyberg, EdD
UK: Alasdair Philips, BSc, DAgE, MIEEE
USA: Joel Moskowitz, PhD
USA: Beatrice Golomb, MD, PhD
Related Posts:
International EMF Scientist Appeal - also see https://emfscientist.org/
5G Wireless Technology: Is 5G Harmful to Our Health?
Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity (EHS)
5G Wireless Technology: Major newspaper editorials oppose "small cell" antenna bills
5G Wireless Technology: Major newspaper editorials oppose "small cell" antenna bills
