More and more exposed
Electromagnetic waves and fields, used for example by radio and television as a transmission medium (radio frequencies) or by power lines for the distribution of electricity (low frequencies), have been present in our environment for a long time. However, the development of new technologies such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, new generations of mobile telephony, connected objects or even electric vehicles, increases our exposure.
In the field of mobile communications, consumption behaviors and uses are changing rapidly, and the proliferation of technologies and networks contribute to increasing the exposure of the population to electromagnetic waves, with great disparities depending on uses, places, etc That increased exposure is the result of interactions between an increased number of users, the diversification of uses (calls, text messages, downloads, online viewing, etc.), variable usage times, but also the increase in speeds and efficiency of networks and terminals.
The development of electrical infrastructures linked to changes in production (renewable energies) and consumption (electric vehicles, “connected” cities and infrastructures) could also increase our exposure to low-frequency magnetic fields.
However, the maximum intensity of exposure is framed by regulation.
For radio frequencies, it is monitored by l’ANFR, the National Frequency Agency. The checks carried out each year show that the environmental exposure to waves is much lower than the limit values imposed by regulations.
For low frequencies, the laws on the Grenelle de l’environnement have created a public information device on the electromagnetic fields emitted by high voltage lines. The regulations provide for exposure measurements to be carried out in urbanized areas of municipalities crossed by high-voltage lines.
>> To learn more about electromagnetic waves, their effects on health or ways to reduce our exposure, consult our decryption article
Better understand the effects and assess the risks
Faced with the proliferation of sources of exposure to electromagnetic waves and fields, it is necessary to better understand their effects on health. It is the role of the Agency which produced more than 15 expertises since 2005 on this issue, in particular on the health effects of 5G, high voltage lines, body scanners and light-emitting diodes.
These assessments are the result of collective work coordinated by the Agency, which brings together specific working groups made up of multidisciplinary experts and the Committee of specialized experts “physical agents and new technologies”.
With regard to radio frequencies, the Agency installed in 2011 a dialogue committee “radiofrequencies and health” whose ambition is to be a place for discussion, reflection and information on scientific issues relating to the potential health effects of radiofrequencies and their assessment. This body brings together representatives of associations, industrialists, trade unions and the Agency’s scientists and experts. The questions raised by civil society can thus feed into the expert appraisal work, which is reported to the committee. The participation of the committee in the establishment of specifications for carrying out specific studies is also an innovative provision of the dialogue initiated between the scientific experts and the stakeholders.
Since the “radiofrequency and health” theme requires targeted research, the Agency has mobilized specific funding for this theme since 2011 as part of the national environment-health-work research programl (PNR EST) that it pilots. The objective of the PNR EST is to bring together research and expertise and to broaden the research community.
ANSES’s main recommendations
Pour waves emitted by mobile phones (radio frequencies) :
- for adult intensive mobile phone users: use the hands-free kit and more generally, for all users, favor the acquisition of telephones displaying the lowest SAR (specific absorption rate);
- display the maximum exposure level generated by all devices currents emitting electromagnetic fields intended for use close to the body (DECT telephones, touch pads, baby monitors, etc.), as is already the case for mobile phones;
- reduce children’s exposure by encouraging moderate use of mobile phones;
- before being deployed, it is desirable that the development of new technologies be supported by the carrying out studies or a documented collection of the literature of the links between exposure and health impacts.
Pour low frequency magnetic electromagnetic fields (high voltage lines) :
For those responsible for land use planning, no longer increase the number of sensitive people exposed around high voltage lines by avoiding :
- installing or fitting out new establishments welcoming vulnerable people (hospitals, schools, etc.) in the immediate vicinity of very high voltage lines;
- to set up new lines above such establishments.