התקשורת הסלולארית הפכה בשנים האחרונות נפוצה וחיונית למהלך חיינו היומיומיים. על אף שהמכשירים והאנטנות פולטים קרינה ברמה נמוכה, טבעי הוא שתשאלנה שאלות בנוגע לבטיחות השימוש ברשת.
התשובות לשאלות אלו מסופקות ע"י גופי מחקר ורשויות בריאות ממדינות שונות, ובראשם ארגון הבריאות העולמי (WHO). מידי מספר שנים מבוצעות הערכות מסודרות, הבוחנות את המחקרים והמידע החדש שנתגלה מאז ההערכה הקודמת.
מרבית המחקרים וההערכות, מצביעים על כך כי עד היום לא נמצאו השפעות שליליות של התשדורת הסלולארית על בריאות האוכלוסייה. עם זאת, אנשי מדע ברחבי העולם ממשיכים לחקור את הנושא במטרה לבחון כל חשש או שאלה.
לאחרונה פרסם משרד הבריאות בארץ מידע והמלצות לציבור לגבי השימוש בטלפון הסלולרי.
להלן מסקנות ממספר גופי המחקר וההערכה המובילים בעולם שפורסמו בשנת 2009 (לצד המסקנות המצוטטות מצורפים הקישורים לדו"חות המלאים) וכן עמדת ארגון הבריאות העולמי משנת 2006 אשר עדכנית גם כיום :
COMAR (Committee on Man and Radiation), International, September 2009
In an article published in the October issue of Health Physics, COMAR* summarizes the conclusions from several major national and international reports on RF exposure and health and comments on the markedly different conclusions in the BioInitiative report.
According to COMAR,"the weight of scientific evidence in the RF bioeffects literature does not support the safety limits recommended by the BioInitiative group. For this reason, COMAR recommends that public health officials continue to base their policies on RF safety limits recommended by established and sanctioned international organizations such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers International Committee on Electromagnetic Safety and the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection, which is formally related to the World Health Organization."
* The Committee on Man and Radiation (COMAR) is a technical committee of the Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBS) of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). Its primary area of interest is biological effects of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation, including radiofrequency (RF) energy.
COMAR Technical Information Statement - Expert Reviews on Potential Health Effects of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields and Comments on the BioInitiative Report. The Committee on Man and Radiation (COMAR). Health Physics, Vol.97 Issue 4 - pp 348-356. October 2009. Available online September 2009.
ICNIRP (International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection), August 2009
The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) has published a statement in which the Commission reaffirms the validity of its 1998 guidelines.
In a communiqué announcing the statement's publication, the international commission writes:
"[...] it is the opinion of ICNIRP that the scientific literature published since the 1998 guidelines has provided no evidence of any adverse effects below the basic restrictions and does not necessitate an immediate revision of its guidance on limiting exposure to high frequency electromagnetic fields."
Statement on the "Guidelines for limiting exposure to time-varying electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields (up to 300 GHz)". The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). Health Physics 97(3):257-259; 2009.
French Health Ministry, August 2009
The French Health Ministry website page on mobile telephony was updated on August 7.
Concerning base stations: "Taking into account the low exposure levels to electromagnetic fields near the base stations, the hypothesis of a risk to the health of the people leaving in the neighborhood of these stations cannot be maintained."
Concerning cell phones: "While no scientific evidence demonstrates that using a cell phone presents a health risk, this hypothesis cannot be totally excluded." The Ministry recommends simple measures to reduce RF exposure, especially for children. Website of the French Ministry of Health. Page "Téléphonie mobile et santé". Updated August 7, 2009. SSK (Commission on Radiological Protection), Germany, August 2009
The German Commission on Radiological Protection (SSK) has issued a statement in which they reaffirm there is no scientific evidence of a genotoxic effect of RF fields or an influence of RF fields on gene regulation.
"The results of available studies give no indication that there is an adverse health effect on the genome by radiofrequency electromagnetic fields questioning existing exposure restrictions."
Effects of Radiofrequency Fields on the Genome: Genotoxicity and Gene Regulation.
Strahlenschutzkommission (Commission on Radiological Protection) (SSK). Bonn, August 2009 (Summary in English page 69).
Austrian Health Ministry, July 2009
The Federal Ministry of Health has released a leaflet advising the public there is no scientific evidence of a health risk from cell phone RFs. The leaflet introduction, signed by Health Minister Alois Stöger, begins as follows:
"At present there is no absolute scientific proof that cell phone radiation has damageable effects on human health."
The leaflet recommends a reasonable use of cell phones and asks parents to encourage their children to use cell phones moderately.
Handy-Empfehlungen. Informationen zur Vermeidung unnötiger Belastungen mit elektromagnetischen Feldern bei Mobiltelefonen. Bundesministerium für Gesundheit. Juli 2009.
STUK (Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority), Finland, July 2009
The Finnish Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK) has released a new document concluding there is no evidence so far on the health effects of long-term exposure to RF radiation.
"There is no evidence so far on the health effects due to long-term exposure to radio frequency radiation but anyone can reduce one's own exposure easily."
Radio waves and our environment. Finnish Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK). Helsinki, Finland, July 2009.
FDA (Food and Drug Administration), U.S.A., June 2009
In April and June 2009, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) restyled and updated the pages on cellular telephony and health on their website.
To the question "Do cell phones pose a health hazard?", the FDA answers:
"Many people are concerned that cell phone radiation will cause cancer or other serious health hazards. The weight of scientific evidence has not linked cell phones with any health problems."
Website of the FDA (Food and Drug administration) (USA). "Health issues" page and "Children and cell phones" page. Updated 30 April 2009.
Council of Ministers of the Isle of Man, United Kingdom, June 2009
The Council of Ministers of the Isle of Man has approved the report of an expert group on the health impact of cell towers.
According to the report, "there is no general risk to the health of people living near mobile phone mast base stations on the basis that exposures are expected to be small fractions of guidelines."
The experts also note there is no proven relationship between self-reported hypersensitivity to electromagnetic fields and EMFs.
"Scientific evidence does not support a link between a series of vague symptoms, described by members of the public and exposure to electromagnetic fields. At least some of these symptoms may be related to anxiety about the presence of new technologies."
On children: "Whilst there is no scientific evidence to show that mobile phone masts have any adverse effects on children the use of precaution principle is justified in relation to the location of the beams of greatest intensity from Macro-Cell base station.,"
A Review into the Health Impacts of Mobile Phone Masts in the Isle of Man. Council of Ministers Report, GR No 20/09. June 2009.
ARPANSA (Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency), March 2009
The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) updated its fact sheet on mobile telephony and health. According to the Agency:
"There is essentially no evidence that microwave exposure from mobile telephones causes cancer, and no clear evidence that such exposure accelerates the growth of an already-existing cancer. More research on this issue has been recommended.
"Users concerned about the possibility of health effects can minimize their exposure to the microwave emissions by: limiting the duration of mobile telephone calls, using a mobile telephone which does not have the antenna in the handset or using a 'hands-free' attachment.
"There is no clear evidence in the existing scientific literature that the use of mobile telephones poses a long-term public health hazard (although the possibility of a small risk cannot be ruled out)."
Mobile Telephones and Health Effects. Radiation and Health Fact Sheets series, Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA). Updated March 17, 2009.
Health Council of the Netherlands, March 2009
In this fifth annual update of the Electromagnetic Fields Committee of the Health Council of the Netherlands, two themes are discussed: the influence of RF electromagnetic fields on brain activity, and the relationship between exposure to such fields and the occurrence of symptoms (i.e. electro hypersensitivity).
On brain functions, the Committee concludes "In short, some effects on brain functions have been observed, but there are no indications that these indicate, or lead to, health effects."
On symptoms, such as headache and migraine, fatigue, sleeplessness, concentration problems, itch and sensations of warmth, the report concludes: "From the good quality scientific data emerges the picture that there is no causal relationship between exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields and the occurrence of symptoms."
Electromagnetic Fields: Annual Update 2008. Health Council of the Netherlands. Publication no. 2009/02. The Hague, 19 March 2009.
National Academy of Medicine, France, March 2009
The court decisions of February 2009 leading Bouygues Telecom and SFR to dismantle base station antennas are based on the application of the precautionary principle. In a communiqué, le French national academy of medicine reiterates its advice against a subjective interpretation of the precautionary principle and reminds us of the available scientific data.
« No mechanism is known through which electromagnetic fields in this range of energies and
frequencies could have a negative effect on health. Both SCENIHR and the World Health Organization unanimously declared that these antennas presented no health risk."
Les risques des antennes de téléphonie mobile.Mise au point de l'Académie Nationale de Médecine. France, March 3, 2009.
Health Council of Belgium, February 2009
In this opinion, the Belgian health council (Conseil Supérieur de la Santé, CSS) confirms its previous advice to lower exposure limits concerning mobile services base stations to 3 V/m. CSS says that the precautionary principle should apply and underlines that the 3 V/m limit is in agreement with the European electromagnetic compatibility standard.
"[The CSS] opinion is that the precautionary principle should apply, considering scientific
uncertainties, to protect the people and insists on its recommendation of a 3 V/m standard."
Avis du Conseil supérieur de la santé N° 8519 - Avis sur les normes relatives aux antennes émettrices. Brussels, 4 February 2009.
CCARS Scientific Committee, Spain, January 2009
In January 2009, an independent Spanish expert committee the `Comité Científico Asesor en Radio-frecuencias y Salud' (CCARS) published a literature review and an opinion on mobile telephony and health. The experts opinion is essentially based on the analysis of the most recent reports and opinions from national and international authorities.
The CCARS experts conclude (English version of the report):
"As a whole, the national and international committees for protection against RF waves unanimously conclude that recent scientific / technical breakthroughs do not justify changes in the present RF benchmark levels and exposure limits for the public and workers."
Report on radiofrequency and health (2007-2008). Comité Científico Asesor en Radio-frecuencias y Salud (CCARS). Las Rozas, Madrid, January 2009.
SCENIHR (Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks) EU, January 2009
The European Commission's Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR) has updated its 2007 opinion on the health effects of EMF exposure. Concerning radiofrequency fields and cancer:
"It is concluded from three independent lines of evidence (epidemiological, animal and in vitro studies) that exposure to RF fields is unlikely to lead to an increase in cancer in humans."
However, the experts add that further research is needed to clarify if long-term exposure to cell phones (well beyond 10 years)"might pose some cancer risk."
The experts also find no overall evidence of effects on self-reported symptoms, the nervous system, development or reproduction. They confirm their 2007 conclusions:
"In the previous [2007] opinion, it was concluded that scientific studies had failed to provide support for a relationship between RF exposure and self reported symptoms. [The] conclusion that scientific studies have failed to provide support for an effect of RF fields on self-reported symptoms still holds."
"Other studies on functions/aspects of the nervous system, such as cognitive functions, sensory functions, structural stability, and cellular responses show no or no consistent effects."
"Recent studies have not shown effects from RF fields on human or animal reproduction and
development. No new data have appeared that indicate any other effects on human health."
The experts also recommend evaluating the effects of RF on children.
Health Effects of Exposure to EMF. Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR). Opinion adopted January 19, 2009.
German federal government (Bundestag), January 2009
In a statement dated January 21, 2009, announcing the publication of the 3rd governmental report on mobile telephony and health, the federal government confirmed the validity of the German RF exposure limits. The opinion of the Bundestag is based on the results of the German national research program on mobile telephony (DMF).
"The federal government deduces from the conclusions of the German research program on mobile telephony (DMF) that the exposure limits in force offer sufficient protection against mobile telephony radiation."
ארגון הבריאות העולמי (WHO):
Considering the very low exposure levels and research results collected to date, there is no convincing scientific evidence that the weak RF signals from base stations and wireless networks cause adverse health effects.
Source: Electromagnetic Fields and Public Health. Fact Sheet N'304 (2006) http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs304/en/index.html
In the area of biological effects and medical applications of non-ionizing radiation approximately 25,000 articles have been published over the past 30 years. Despite the feeling of some people that more research needs to be done, scientific knowledge in this area is now more extensive than for most chemicals. Based on a recent in-depth review of the scientific literature, the WHO concluded that current evidence does not confirm the existence of any health consequences from exposure to low level electromagnetic fields.
However, given public concerns regarding the safety of cellular telephones, further research aims to determine whether any less obvious effects might occur at very low exposure levels.
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