2015-06-09 08:02:03
Radio frequencies have been an important subject of health, environmental and societal concerns for several years in France and abroad. These issues led the Agency, in response to requests from its supervisory ministries, to publish various opinions and collective expert reports in 2003, 2005 and 2009, and the most recent in 2013.
As early as 2003, ANSES recommended strengthening research into the potential health effects associated with the use of mobile telephones by children. In fact, children, through the early use they may have of radioelectric devices, the long duration of their exposure which will result as adults, as well as because of their anatomical and physiological specificities (height, weight, sensitivity developing organs and physiological functions) should be considered as a particularly sensitive population with respect to exposure to radiofrequencies.
Many radioelectric devices intended for children are marketed (touch tablets, walkie-talkies, baby monitors, etc.) and article L.5231-4 of the Public Health Code provides for the possibility of prohibiting, by order of the Minister responsible for Health, the placing on the market of radioelectric devices intended for children who would expose them excessively.
In this context, the Agency was contacted by the General Directorate for Health (DGS), the General Directorate for Risk Prevention (DGPR) and the General Directorate for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Prevention ( DGCCRF) in order to identify the potential health risks associated with the use of radio devices by or near children.
Public consultation of a pre-final report
ANSES has selected more than 200 studies on the effects of electromagnetic radiation on the human body, targeting the exposure of children, from the embryo to adolescence, with the aim of:
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on the one hand, to characterize the exposure of children, by identifying the numerous sources of exposure to radiofrequencies which are specific to them: “baby watch” devices, radio-controlled toys, walkie-talkies, communicating robots, mobile telephones for children , touch tablets or even anti-removal modules;
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on the other hand, to study the potential effects of radiofrequencies on the health of children: nervous system, well-being, mental health, reproduction and development, carcinogenicity.
In a context of great scientific complexity, ANSES is today launching a public consultation on the pre-final report on this work. It invites members of the scientific community and all interested stakeholders to send ANSES any comments they may have on this draft report, through an online form until August 21, 2015.
The additional scientific data and comments collected in this context will be the subject of a specific examination by the Agency’s experts mobilized on these issues with a view to their possible inclusion in the final version of the expert report, the publication will be accompanied by ANSES’s opinion. All the comments received will be published as an appendix to the final report, together with the Agency’s response.
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