The “continuing uncertainties about possible health risks” related to the exposure to electromagnetic fields are the basis of an own-initiative report by MEP Frédérique Ries (ALDE, BE), which was adopted on the 17th of February by the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, with 43 votes in favour and one against.

The Committee’s report will be voted on in the March plenary.

On 4 September 2008, the European Parliament already adopted a resolution on the mid-term review of the European Environment and Health Action Plan (2004-2010). One issue that seemed to be of particular concern for MEPs was electromagnetic radiation.

The report written by Frédérique Ries further elaborates on this concern. The document contains several concrete policy recommendations and is meant as a signal to the European Commission to take action.

Lower exposure limits

Central amongst the proposed measures is the call to the Council to revise Recommendation 1999/519/EC and to lay down stricter exposure limits for all devices emitting electromagnetic waves. This should be achieved by using the best available techniques on the market (BAT).

MEPs also think that mobile phone antennas and high-voltage power lines should be placed at a "reasonable distance" from crèches, schools, rest homes and health care institutions.

More and better information

A recently published Euro barometer says that a majority of citizens do not feel that the public authorities inform them adequately on measures to protect them from electromagnetic fields. Therefore, the ENVI committee calls on the Commission to publish maps showing exposure to high voltage power lines, telecommunications masts and telephone antennas, among others. The Commission should also present a report on "the level of electromagnetic radiation in the EU, its sources and actions taken in the EU to better protect human health and the environment".

The report also suggests to the Commission to "switch partly the funding for studies on electromagnetic fields" to finance awareness raising campaigns to inform the youngest about "good mobile phone techniques", since most European aged from 10 to 20 use a mobile phone.