Report from the Commission on the application of Council recommendation of 12 july 1999 (1999/519/EC) on the limitation of the exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields (0 Hz to 300 GHz) - Second Implementation report 2002-2007
Date: 2008-09-01
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: electromagnetic interference, health control, health risk, medical research, public health, radiation protection

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COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 1.9.2008 
COM(2008) 532 final 

REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION ON THE APPLICATION OF COUNCIL 
RECOMMENDATION OF 12 JULY 1999 (1999/519/EC) ON THE LIMITATION OF 
THE EXPOSURE OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS 
(0 Hz to 300 GHz) 

Second Implementation Report 2002-2007  

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1. 

INTRODUCTION 

The  public  is  exposed  to  electromagnetic  fields  (EMF)  generated  by  an  increasing  variety  of 
electrical and electronic devices and installations. EMF may have biological effects under certain 
conditions. On 12 July 1999, the Council adopted a Recommendation (1999/519/EC) to limit the 
exposure of the population to EMF. 

It  is  the  Member  States’  responsibility  to  protect  the  populations  from  potential  health  risks. 
However, the Council Recommendation has established a set of basic restrictions and reference 
levels  to  provide  guidance  to  the  Member  States  and  to  create  a  basis  for  EU  product  safety 
legislation.  They  are  as  laid  down  by  the  International  Commission  on  Non-Ionizing  Radiation 
Protection (ICNIRP). The Recommendation invites the Commission to keep the possible health 
effects  of  EMF  under  review.  In  2002,  the  Commission  presented  its  first  report.  This  is  the 
second  one,  relating  to  the  situation  in  EU-27,  based  on  the  information  received  from  the 
Member States, and presenting an update on initiatives taken by the Commission to review the 
available scientific knowledge. 

2. 

THE ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS ISSUE 

The rapid increase in mobile telecommunications and  the growing  range of personal, domestic, 
commercial and medical equipment have considerably increased the number of sources of EMF 
exposure1 and are significantly changing the level, type and pattern of everyday exposure of the 
public. 
A recent Eurobarometer survey2 indicates that, while they are more concerned about chemicals, 
the quality of food, ambient air and the quality of drinking water, half of the people in the EU are 
also  concerned  about  the  potential  health  risks  of  EMF.  A  majority  of  citizens  feel  that  public 
authorities  do  not  adequately  inform  them  of  the  measures  taken  to  protect  them,  in  particular 
from overhead high-voltage power lines and base stations placed close to dwellings.  

3. 

COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION OF 12 JULY 1999 ON THE LIMITATION OF EXPOSURE OF 
THE  GENERAL  PUBLIC  TO  ELECTROMAGNETIC  FIELDS  (0HZ  TO  300  GHZ)  — 
(1999/519/EC) 

This Recommendation is based on Article 152(1) of the Treaty to complement national policies 
for improving public health and preventing human illness and diseases, and obviating sources of 
danger to health. Moreover, Article 152(1) states that “a high level of human health protection 
shall be ensured in the definition and implementation of all Community activities and policies”.  

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Static  fields  used  in  medicine  (MRI),  welding  and  transport  systems  fed  by  DC  power;  Extremely  low 
frequencies (ELF) (0 to 300 Hz) used in household appliances; Intermediate Frequencies (IF) (300 Hz — 
100  kHz)  used  in  video  displays,  anti-theft  devices,  card  readers,  metal  detectors,  electro  surgery; 
Radiofrequencies  (RF)  (100  kHz  to  300  GHz)  used  in  wireless  communications  such  as  GSM,  UMTS, 
Wireless  LAN  and  RFID  for  both  mobile  devices  and  base  stations,  hospital  applications,  radio  and  TV 
broadcasting. 
http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_determinants/environment/EMF/ebs272a_en.pdf  

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The  overall  aim  of  the  Council  Recommendation  (1999/519/EC)  is  to  establish  a  Community 
framework  for  limiting  the  exposure  of  the  general  public  to  EMF  based  on  the  best  available 
scientific evidence and to provide a basis for monitoring the situation. It also provides a reference 
framework for EU legislation on products and devices emitting EMF3.  

The  Member  States  are  responsible  for  protecting  their  populations  against  potential  risks  from 
EMF exposure and may apply more stringent limits than those set in the Recommendation. 

The  current  “basic  restrictions”  and  “reference  values”  derive  from  the  1998  International 
Commission  for  Non-Ionizing  Radiation  Protection  (ICNIRP)  guidelines,  designed  on  the  basis 
of short-term effects of EMF. The ICNIRP guidelines use a safety factor of 50 resulting from the 
product between a factor 5, corresponding to the reduction of public exposure values compared to 
those applicable to occupational exposure, and a factor of 10 to cover variations of sensitivity and 
in  exposure  conditions  in  the  whole  frequency  range.  The  “reference  levels”  are  based  on 
measurements and/or computational techniques.  

The Recommendation calls on Member States to consider both the risks and benefits in deciding 
whether to take action, inform the public, promote research on the potential health effects of EMF 
and report on their action to the Council. The Recommendation asks the Commission to facilitate 
the  establishment  of  European  standards,  to  evaluate  compliance  with  basic  restrictions,  to 
encourage research, to continue its involvement with relevant international organisations and to 
review regularly the action taken. 

4. 

SCIENTIFIC BASES 

The  scientific  bases  for  the  ICNIRP  guidelines  were  endorsed  by  the  Scientific  Steering 
Committee  in  June  1998,  by  the  Scientific  Committee  on  Toxicity,  Ecotoxicity  and  the 
Environment4 in October 2001 and again by the Scientific Committee on  Emerging and Newly 
Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR)5 in March 2007, each based on the latest scientific evidence 
available. The latest SCENIHR opinion stated: 

- For Radio Frequency Fields (RF fields – 100 kHz-300 GHz) 

No health effect has been consistently demonstrated at exposure levels below the limits 
of ICNIRP established in 1998. However, the data base for evaluation remains limited, 
especially for long-term low-level exposure. 

- For Intermediate Frequency Fields (IF fields – 300 Hz–100 kHz) 

Experimental  and  epidemiological  data  from  the  IF  range  are  very  sparse.  Therefore, 
assessment of acute health risks in the IF range is currently based on known hazards at 
lower  and  higher  frequencies.  Proper  evaluation  and  assessment  of  possible  health 
effects  from  long-term  exposure  to  IF  fields  are  important  because  human  exposure  to 
such fields is increasing due to new and emerging technologies. 

- For Extremely low frequency fields (ELF fields – 0-300 Hz) 

3 
4 
5 

Council Directives 2006/95/EC (low voltage) and 1999/5/EC (radio equipment). 
http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_risk/committees/sct/documents/out128_en.pdf 
http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_risk/committees/04_scenihr/docs/scenihr_o_007.pdf  

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The  previous  conclusion  that  ELF  magnetic  fields  are  possibly  carcinogenic,  chiefly 
based on the results of epidemiological studies on childhood leukaemia, is still valid. For 
breast  cancer  and  cardiovascular  disease,  recent  research  has  indicated  that  an 
association  is  unlikely.  For  neurodegenerative  diseases  and  brain  tumours,  the  link  to 
ELF  fields  remains  uncertain.  No  consistent  relationship  between  ELF  fields  and  self-
reported  symptoms  (sometimes  referred  to  as  electrical  hypersensitivity)  has  been 
demonstrated. 

- For Static Fields 

Adequate  data  for  proper  risk  assessment  of  static  magnetic  fields  are  very  sparse. 
Developments of technologies involving static magnetic fields, e.g. with MRI (Magnetic 
Resonance  Imaging)  equipment,  require  risk  assessments  in  relation  to  occupational 
exposure. 

Given the uncertainties and lack of scientific data on long-term and low-level EMF exposure, the 
SCENIHR made recommendations for further research, in particular: 

- For RF fields 

• A long-term prospective cohort study,  

• Health effects of RF exposure in children, 

• Exposure distribution in the population,  

- For IF fields 

• Epidemiologic and experimental studies on health effects from IF fields. 

- For ELF fields 

•  Animal  studies  to  elucidate  the  mechanisms  responsible  for  the  childhood  leukaemia 
indicated by the epidemiological evidence. 

- For Static fields 

• A cohort study on personnel handling equipment that generates strong magnetic fields. 

•  Experimental  studies,  e.g.  on  carcinogenicity,  genotoxicity  and  developmental  and 
neurobehavioural effects. 

In  the  5th  Framework  Programme  for  Research  (FP5  –  1998-2002),  the  Environment  &  Health 
“Key Action” provided a total EC contribution of €12 million to projects on the potential health 
impacts  of  EMF6.  In  FP6  (2002-2006),  the  Commission  funded  the  EMF-NET7  project  that 
produced fact sheets on various issues related to the potential health effects of exposure to EMF. 
This project concluded that research is still needed in most areas.  
In  response  to  the  SCENIHR  recommendations,  the  Commission  introduced  in  the  2nd  call  for 
proposals  of  the  Environment  theme  of  the  FP7  (2006-2013)  Cooperation  programme 

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http://ec.europa.eu/research/quality-of-life/pdf/emf_brochure_and_sheets_en.pdf; 
http://ec.europa.eu/research/environment/themes/projects_en.htm#2 
Effects  of 
http://web.jrc.ec.europa.eu/emf-net 

to  EMF:  From 

the  exposure 

science 

to  public  health  and 

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safer  workplace 

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(Environment  &  Health  sub-activity),  a  topic  that  will  lead  to  funding  of  a  project  focused  on 
mobile telephone use and potential risks to develop brain cancer in children and adolescents. The 
3rd call plans a project on improved exposure assessment to wireless communication devices.  

5. 

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECOMMENDATION  

5.1. 

General overview 

Most Member States have adopted the Recommendation and some have legally binding measures 
to  control  EMF  exposure  of  the  general  public.  Although  most  consider  the  Recommendation 
sufficient to provide a high level of health protection, some have adopted more stringent exposure 
limits  and  others  have  suggested  some  modifications  to  the  Recommendation:  more  stringent 
restrictions  and  reference  levels  for  ELF  (Finland,  Sweden  and  the  Netherlands),  stricter 
restrictions  and  reference  levels  at  fields  of  10  kHz-300  GHz  (Lithuania),  long-term  and  non-
thermal effects of EMF (Bulgaria), and information on product safety (Poland). While not asking 
for  specific  changes  to  the  Recommendation,  Slovenia  insisted  on  the  importance  of  the 
information  to  consumers  on  non-ionising  radiation  and  on  ways  of  minimising  exposure,  and 
Sweden  has  developed  a  simple  and  low-cost  precautionary  approach  to  minimise  exposure  to 
ELF  and  RF.  Along  similar  lines,  the  Netherlands  are  suggesting  the  possibility  of  taking 
precautionary measures in view of the increased childhood leukaemia risks from 50 Hz magnetic 
fields from overhead power lines. 

5.2. 

Specific implementation measures 

5.2.1.  Basic restrictions for exposure to EMF 

In general, the restriction levels in place in the Member States for EMF exposure are in line with 
the Recommendation (See Table 1). However, in Cyprus, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Lithuania, 
Slovenia and Slovakia, no implementation measures have been taken on basic restrictions. 

More  stringent  approaches  are  applied  in  some  countries  on  the  basis  of  the  precautionary 
principle. In Belgium, a Royal decree sets out basic restriction values which are four times stricter 
for RF fields between 10 MHz and 10 GHz. Greece applies reduction factors of 60 or 70% to the 
basic  restrictions  for  all  land-based  antennas  (60%  when  antennas  are  located  less  than  300m 
from schools, kindergartens, hospitals or eldercare facilities).  

In  Italy,  the  basic  restriction  level  for  power  density  applicable  to  power  plants  and  fixed 
telecommunication equipment is ten times lower than in the Recommendation.  

The  United  Kingdom’s  Health  Protection  Agency  (HPA)  has  recommended  a  three-stage 
approach  for  some  frequencies  by  modelling  exposures  numerically  to  clarify  compliance  with 
the ICNIRP basic restrictions. For power frequencies, the equivalent figures for field strengths are 
9 kV/m and 360 µT, i.e. less stringent than the  reference levels in the Recommendation. The UK 
HPA notes that there is also the possibility of adverse indirect effects (microshocks) which can be 
controlled in occupational environments. For the general public, the reference level of 5 kV m-1 
will prevent microshocks in most people. 

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Table 1: Summary overview of the way implemented measures in Member States relate 
to the Basic Restrictions of Council Recommendation 1999/519/EC 

Country 

Implemented basic 
restrictions stricter 
than in the 
Recommendation 

Xa 

Xa 

AT 
BE 
BG 
CH 
CZ 
CY 
DE 
DK 
EE 
ES 
FI 
FR 
GR 
HU 
IE 
IT 
LT 
LU 
LV 
MT 
NL 
PL 
PT 
RO 
SE 
SI 
SK 
UK 

Implemented basic 
restrictions the same 
as in the 
Recommendation 
X 

Implemented basic 
restrictions less 
strict than in the 
Recommendation 

X 
X 
X 

X 
X 
X 

X 

X 

X 
X 
X 

X 
X 
X 

X 

X 
X 
X 
? 

X 

Xb 

X 
X 

X 
X 

a) Not for the whole frequency range — b) Only for workers 

5.2.2.  Reference level for electromagnetic radiation 

The  reference  limits  used  for  monitoring  EMF  radiation  in  the  Member  States  generally 
follow those outlined in the Council Recommendation (See Table 2).  

Belgium applies a twice-lower electric field reference level for RF-fields, but the same level 
as  in  the  Recommendation  for  the  ELF  electric  field  in  urban  areas.  However,  the  Flemish 
Government has recommended a far lower indoor quality standard (0.2 µT and 10 µT) for the 
ELF magnetic field. The Netherlands’ precautionary measure for 50 Hz magnetic fields from 
overhead power lines applies a reference level of 0.4 µT for the magnetic field in dwellings, 
schools and child day-care centres when new overhead power lines or new dwellings are built 
or existing ones are renovated. In Luxembourg, a limit of 3V/m is applied to the electric field 
in areas where the public can be exposed for a long time (e.g. residential housing). Minimum 

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distances are also applied between high voltage power lines and residential areas. In Italy, a 
limit of 6V/m is applied to power plants and fixed telecommunication equipment.  

Table 2: Summary overview of the way implemented measures in Member States relate 
to the Reference Levels of Council Recommendation 1999/519/EC 

Country 

Implemented 
reference levels 
stricter than in the 
Recommendation 

AT 
BE 
BG 
CH 
CZ 
CY 
DE 
DK 
EE 
ES 
FI 
FR 
GR 
HU 
IE 
IT 
LT 
LU 
LV 
MT 
NL 
PL 
PT 
RO 
SE 
SI 
SK 
UK 

Xa 
X 
X 

Xa 

X 
X 
X 

Xa 
X 

X 

Implemented 
reference levels the 
same as in the 
Recommendation 
X 

Implemented 
reference levels less 
strict than in the 
Recommendation 

X 

X 
X 
X 

X 
X 
X 
X 

X 
X 

X 
X 

X 
X 
X 

X 
X 

a) Not for the whole frequency range —  

As  the  permissible  exposure  of  the  population  in  Poland  is  several  times  lower  than  in  the 
Recommendation, the same reduction is also reflected in the reference levels (e.g. 7 V/m for 
RF  radiation) and for the magnetic  component of fields with a 50 Hz frequency. Moreover, 
for the electric component, values for housing areas are ten times lower than for the general 
environment.  In  Bulgaria,  the  exposure  limit  values  are  categorised  by  four  zones  defined 
according to the possibility of exposure and the duration of the exposure. Accordingly, higher 
limit  values  are  set  for  zones  where  human  exposure  is  rare  or  practically  impossible  and 
much  lower  limits  for  zones  with  continuous  exposure  and  areas  for  sensitive  groups 
(including children, pregnant women, elderly and ill people). Slovenia applies ten times more 
stringent reference levels for new and reconstructed radiation sources in sensitive areas (e.g. 
schools, day-care centres, hospitals, residential housing, etc).  

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In Greece, the reference levels of the Recommendation were set as the safety limits for ELF 
fields,  while  new  reference  levels  have  been  derived  for  all  land-based  antennas  in  the 
frequency  range  of  1kHz  to  300  GHz.  Similarly,  in  Lithuania  the  national  levels  in  the 
frequency range of 10 kHz-300 MHz are 2-3 times stricter than the reference levels for EMF 
radiation; from 300 MHz to 300 GHz, even 100 times (10µW/cm2)! 

For ELF radiation from power lines, the Finnish recommendations call for magnetic fields to 
be  kept  as  low  as  reasonably  possible  in  the  areas  where  the  general  public,  particularly 
children, may stay for a significant length of time.  

For ELF, the UK Health Protection Agency advises a three-stage approach, adopting realistic 
numerical modelling for exposure to clarify the application of the ICNIRP levels. For power 
frequencies, the ambient field levels that more realistically equate to the basic restrictions are 
less stringent than the reference levels in the Recommendation. 

In Germany, the measures address exposure levels from specific frequency ranges: 9 kHz-300 
GHz, 16 2/3 Hz, 50 Hz, and 10 MHz-300 GHz. Power lines operating at a voltage over 1 kV 
and  fixed  transmitters  with  a  transmission  power  over  10  W  EIRP  are  considered.  For  ELF 
and  RF,  the  reference  values  for  individual  sources  take  into  account  similar  sources  in  the 
same area. 

The  Czech  Republic,  Hungary,  Latvia  and  Slovakia  have  no  specific  implementation 
measures.  

In  Switzerland  the  general  exposure  limits  comply  with  the  reference  values  in  the 
Recommendation,  but  additional  precautionary  factors  of  10  to  100  are  applied  for  single 
installations  in  “sensitive  areas”.  Additional  safety  measures  are  applied  for  mobile 
telecommunication  stations,  radio  and  TV  broadcasting  stations  and  for  high-voltage  power 
lines. Some countries also apply specific restrictions on some appliances and in situations of 
high overall exposure.  

5.3.  Monitoring exposure to electromagnetic fields 

The  Council  Recommendation  asks  the  national  authorities  to  monitor  the  levels  of  EMF 
exposure  and  check  whether  they  exceed  the  limits  set  in  the  Recommendation.  In  general, 
exposure is evaluated by using models during the permit delivery procedure and/or after the 
installation of new systems or after any optimisation or changes in the installation. 

In  Slovakia  and  Slovenia,  the  measurements  are  done  every  three  years  by  the  authorities 
(every  five  years  for  low-frequency  radiation  in  Slovenia).  In  Lithuania,  measurements  are 
done every year in the neighbourhood of EMF sources and more  frequently where readings 
have  exceeded  the  reference  values.  Luxembourg  performs  spot  measurements.  In  Italy, 
surveys are done on request by the public or local authorities.  

lines  and 

for  power 

telecommunication  stations. 

In the United Kingdom ad hoc measurements of electric and magnetic fields near power lines 
are  carried  out  by  the  utility  companies  upon  request  from  the  public.  The  same  applies  in 
In  Cyprus,  wireless 
Denmark 
communications  operators  conduct  their  own  regular  measurements  in  addition  to  ad  hoc 
measurements  upon  requests  from  the  general  public  and  public  authorities;  in  Ireland  the 
main  power  company  proceeds  in  a  similar  way.  Greece  makes  provision  for  yearly 
measurements by the Atomic Energy Commission (EEAE) or other authorised laboratories of 
the 20% of all antenna stations installed in urban areas and upon request from the public. In 
Latvia  the  telecommunication  operators  periodically  conduct  monitoring  activities.  In  the 
Netherlands  a  government  agency  (Agentschap  Telecom)  does  yearly  monitoring  by 

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measuring RF fields at a few hundred random locations. Measurements of ELF fields are also 
done regularly (by several bureaus mainly on behalf of local authorities). 

In Belgium, the operator must make model estimations of the specific and total exposure of 
his antennas on a given site, or by measurement if exposure exceeds the norm by more than 
5%.  Citizens  may  also  request  authorities  to  evaluate  the  residential  RF  and  ELF  exposure. 
Finland carries out regular studies on the exposure levels from mobile phones. In Sweden, the 
Radiation  Protection  Authority  measures  exposure  from  ELF  and  RF  sources  and  has 
extended  the  measurements  to  exposure  generated  by  electronic  surveillance  systems 
(TETRA, EAS). 

Bulgarian legislation sets out two stages for EMF control. The first is about checking the way 
safety  zones  are  calculated,  and  the  second  is  dedicated  to  measuring  EMF  values  applying 
standard methods. In Germany, the levels have been measured several times since 1992. 

In  France,  specific  monitoring  studies  are  focused  on  areas  of  concern,  and  the  results  are 
publicly  available.  In  Ireland,  the  authorities  commission  monitoring  studies  to  check  that 
operators are complying with their licences. The reports are publicly available.  

5.4. 

Communication with the public 

This refers to actions for informing the citizens of the potential risks of electromagnetic fields 
and  of  the  protection  measures  taken.  The  Member  States’  experience  of  communication 
varies  considerably.  The  most  common  channels  of  information  are  the  Internet,  special 
publications,  meetings  with  citizens’  committees  and  local  authorities,  newspapers  and 
magazines. Some countries have established citizen blogs and/or juries for dialogue and may 
use TV and/or radio programmes (Cyprus, Bulgaria, and Lithuania). These raise the general 
level  of  public  awareness  and  enable  the  authorities  to  determine  areas  of  concern.  Special 
environmental  impact  assessment  meetings  are  also  organised  in  connection  with  a  new 
installation which may have a significant impact on the environment. 

5.5. 

Public funding by the EU Member States of research on exposure to EMF  

The main objective of the research on EMF is to determine levels of exposure of the public, 
and more specifically children, and potential health effects. In public funded research, strong 
emphasis is put on the effects of mobile communication base stations, mobile phones, radio 
and TV broadcasting and high-voltage power lines. However, new areas of development such 
as Wi-Fi or WLAN have also been addressed.  

Most  Member  States  finance  research  on  the  potential  health  effects  of  EMF  (see  Table  3). 
Six  countries  (Belgium,  Switzerland,  France,  the  Netherlands,  Romania,  United  Kingdom) 
finance  studies  on  the  health  effects  of  EMF  exposure  from  combined  sources.  No  or  very 
limited  public  funds  have  been  allocated  to  research  on  potential  health  risks  of  EMF  in 
Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Malta, and Poland.  

Some  countries  have  also  promoted  studies  of  EMF  risk  perception,  examining  growing 
public concerns about the possible damaging effects of electromagnetic radiation.  

6. 

CONCLUSION 

The purpose of the Council Recommendation of 12 July 1999 on the limitation of exposure of 
the  general  public  to  electromagnetic  fields  (0Hz  to  300  GHz)  —  (1999/519/EC)  —  is  to 
provide  a  EU  framework  for  national  policies  and  measures  to  ensure  a  high  level  of 
protection  of  the  population  and  for  EU  legislation  and  standards  on  EMF  exposure  from 
electric/electronic products and devices. This Recommendation is based on the guidelines of 
the  International  Commission  for  Non-Ionizing  Radiation  Protection  (ICNIRP)  which  are 

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derived  from  the  acute  effects  of  EMF  exposure  on  humans.  To  ensure  that  the 
Recommendation  remains  based  on  the  most  up-to-date  scientific  evidence,  it  is  reviewed 
periodically.  In  2007,  the  Scientific  Committee  on  Emerging  and  Newly  Identified  Health 
Risks (SCENIHR) reviewed the scientific knowledge on potential health effects of EMF and 
found no consistent scientific evidence showing a need for revising the basic restrictions and 
reference  levels  set  out  in  the  Council  Recommendation.  Nevertheless,  the  SCENIHR 
identified  gaps  in  the  relevant  scientific  knowledge  and  areas  where  further  research  is 
needed,  both  at  the  national  and  European  levels.  The  SCENIHR  recommendations  have 
already started to be reflected in the calls under the 7th Framework Programme for Research.  

The  European  Commission  has  monitored 
the  Council 
Recommendation  in  the  Member  States.  Most  of  them  have  implemented  it  either  via 
legislative  acts  or  decrees  or  via  voluntary  recommendations.  In  general,  measures  in 
countries  where  the  Council  Recommendation  is  not  yet  fully  implemented  are  being 
improved. However, specific implementation measures vary significantly between countries.  

implementation  of 

the 

A  Eurobarometer  survey  on  citizens’  perception  of  the  EMF  issue  shows  considerable 
dissatisfaction in terms of information and communication. Most people would like to receive 
more  information  on  the  potential  health  effects  of  EMF  through  the  TV,  press  and  radio, 
while  today  most  of  this  information  is  provided  through  Internet  sites  and  specialist 
publications.  

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Table 3. National studies on EMF exposure and potential health effects 

Country 

Belgium 

Domains or studies funded 

EMF exposure assessment studies in the 0 – 3 GHz range in public places and transport. RF exposure assessment related to 
WIFI in i-city areas. Indoor dosimetry for exposure of children to ELF, VLF, RF-fields produced by all VTUs, wired and 
wireless in- and outdoor sources  

Modelling and GIS applications for estimating the 0.4 µT risk contours and the additional risk of childhood leukaemia by 
underground and overhead power lines. Magnetic field 0.4 µT exposure assessment of children and biological effect of the 
ELF magnetic field. 

Bulgaria 

High-voltage power lines, radio and TV broadcasting stations; mobile communication base stations 

Cyprus 

High-voltage power lines; radio and TV broadcasting stations; mobile communication; home/domestic wiring 

Czech 
Republic 

Childhood leukaemia in the proximity of power lines 

Denmark 

Mobile communication 

Estonia 

Mechanisms  of  biological  Interaction  of  EMF;  microwave  effects  on  cognitive  functions;  EM  sensitivity  of  biological 
systems 

Germany 

Radio and TV broadcasting stations; mobile communication; domestic equipment: www.emf-forschungsprogramm.de 

France 

Greece 

Radio/TV  broadcasting 
radiofrequences.org 

stations;  mobile  phones  and  base 

stations;  combined  exposure:  http://www.sante-

High-voltage power lines/ epidemiological studies, exposure assessment of general public and workers, laboratory studies; 
radio  and  TV  broadcasting/animal  studies,  exposure  assessment  of  general  public  and  workers;  base  stations/  exposure 
assessment of general public and workers; mobile phones/ theoretical studies modelling, laboratory studies, clinical studies 

Italy 

Project on protecting Man and the environment from EMF 

Lithuania 

Health effects for mobile phones users 2002-2003 

Netherlands 

High-voltage power lines; radio and TV broadcasting; transportation systems using static fields; mobile communication base 
stations; mobile phones; commercial equipment; Medical equipment; home/domestic wiring; domestic equipment; combined 
exposure; http://www.zonmw.nl/en/programmes/all-programmes/electromagnetic-fields-and-health-research 

Portugal 

Radio and TV broadcasting stations; transportation systems using static fields; mobile communication base stations; mobile 
phones 

Romania 

High-voltage  power  lines;  radio  and  TV  broadcasting  stations;  transportation  systems  using  static  fields;  mobile 
communication  base  stations;  home/domestic  wiring;  combined  exposure;  studies  on  bioelectromagnetic  interactions  and 
biological  impact  of  human  exposure  to  RF  and  microwave  EMF;  electromagnetic  ecology  —  sources  characterisation, 
effects, prevention and control  

Slovenia 

Exposure to electromagnetic field of high-voltage power lines in the living environment; measurement of EMF exposure in 
the living environment with database of all base stations, TV and radio transmitters nationwide; biological effects of TETRA 
system 

Spain 

Radio and TV broadcasting; mobile communication 

Sweden  

International prospective cohort study; case-control study on childhood brain tumours and RF fields 

Switzerland 

NFP57: high-voltage power lines; mobile communication; combined exposure  

United 
Kingdom 

High-voltage power lines/ ELF health research; the Mobile Telecommunications and Health Research (MTHR) programme 
funded jointly by government and industry under independent management. The 1st phase (6 years, €13 million) reported on 
23  completed  studies  in  September  2007.  The  2nd  phase  is  just  beginning.  (www.mthr.org.uk);  a  special  study  of  the 
study 
to 
residential 
(www.hpa.org.uk/radiation/publications/hpa_rpd_reports/2005/hpa_rpd_005.htm); Wi-Fi study  

of  magnetic 

childhood 

previous 

sources 

related 

cancer 

fields 

data 

in 

a 

The  Commission  is  very  aware  of  public  concerns  in  this  area,  remains  active  and  takes 
initiatives to address them. In particular, through its Scientific Committee for Emerging and 

EN 

11 

   EN 

 
 
Newly  Identified  Health  Risks  (SCENIHR),  the  Commission  is  reviewing  periodically  the 
available scientific evidence to ensure that the Recommendation is based on the most up-to-
date knowledge. A new consultation of SCENIHR has recently been launched in that respect. 
In addition, the Commission continues to allocate significant funding to research on the health 
effects  of  EMF  through  the  Framework  Programmes  for  Research  and  Technological 
Development, which takes into account the research priorities identified by the SCENIHR.  

On  another  level,  the  Commission  has  also  established  a  working  group  of  government 
experts to improve the exchange of information and identify ways of improving coordination 
and  cooperation  between  Member  States.  This  group  will  support  the  initiatives  of  the 
Commission  to  strengthen  the  research  on  exposure  of  the  general  public  and  on  potential 
health effects and to identify which aspects of the Recommendation require more effort.  

In conclusion, the Commission intends to continue monitoring closely the application of this 
Recommendation, promoting the development of scientific knowledge on key aspects of the 
potential health impact of EMF, re-assess the validity of the Recommendation in the light of 
any relevant new scientific development and take appropriate action should the need arise. 

EN 

12 

   EN