Written answers

Tuesday, 25 November 2014

Department of Environment, Community and Local Government

Electromagnetic Fields Studies

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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485. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the policy that is relied upon to define acceptable levels of electromagnetic fields associated with high-tension power lines; if the policy is to be reviewed to take account of updated expert research in both the engineering and medical disciplines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45304/14]

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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522. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the policy that defines acceptable levels of electromagnetic fields associated with high-tension power lines when planning for the proximity of such power lines to residences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45248/14]

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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523. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the way policy that covers acceptable proximity between residences and the electromagnetic fields levels associated with high-tension power lines compares with corresponding policies in other EU member states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45250/14]

Photo of Alan KellyAlan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 485, 522 and 523 together.

The issue of the potential health effects of electromagnetic fields was the subject of an Expert Group Report commissioned by the Government and published in March 2007. This report, entitled Health Effects of Electromagnetic Fields, which considered issues such as digital signals, microwaves and mobile phone masts, is available for download on my Department’s website at:.

The Expert Group reported that the majority scientific opinion was that no adverse short - or long-term effects have been demonstrated from exposure to electromagnetic fields at levels below the limits recommended by the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). Extensive international research on the issue continues to be co-ordinated through bodies such as the World Health Organisation.

A substantial volume of research on this issue is being carried out internationally by bodies with responsibility for monitoring the health effects of electromagnetic fields, including the European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR). This Committee recently published a Preliminary Opinion on Potential Health Effects of Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields, updating its previous opinions from 2009 and taking account of the many studies undertaken in the intervening years. The Report can be found at the following weblink: ().

The findings of this research are being monitored by the WHO’s EMF Project; it is expected that a report will issue from the WHO in 2015. My Department, via its Air Quality & Environmental Radiation Policy Section, continues to monitor this and other scientific evidence as it is made available and will consider any policy implications in this context.

In addition, my Department recently commissioned a study on international developments in non-ionising radiation (NIR) and electromagnetic fields (EMF) research since publication of the 2007 Expert Group Report. The study is also examining how the issue of NIR/EMF is dealt with in other jurisdictions and is expected to be completed by the end of this year. The results of this study will be used by a Steering Committee, convened and chaired by my Department, to consider and make specific proposals relating to the future management of these matters including, inter alia, any consequent legislative amendments and provisions.

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