How much research on EMF and health has been conducted?
The World Health Organization (WHO) maintains an extensive database of scientific research into the effects of electromagnetic energy (EME), including studies on the effects of radiofrequencies on public health.
As reviewed by the WHO in 1981 and 1992, research on biological effects and possible health hazards of exposures to radiofrequency fields has been underway for more than 50 years
The WHO database, which is available on their website, shows that there are more than 1900 published scientific articles on the biological and health effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields, and more than 630 studies on radiofrequencies specifically used by mobile phone networks.
What is the World Health Organization’s advice on EMF health and safety?
In relation to EMF and health the WHO says;
The main conclusion from the WHO reviews is that EMF exposures below the limits recommended in the ICNIRP international guidelines do not appear to have any known consequence on health'"
WHO Standards and Guidelines Link
In 2011 the WHO updated its fact sheet on mobile phones and health concluding:
"…A large number of studies have been performed over the last two decades to assess whether mobile phones pose a potential health risk. To date, no adverse health effects have been established as being caused by mobile phone use."
Where is the EMF research up to?
In relation to EMF research the WHO says,
“Extensive research has been conducted into possible health effects of exposure to many parts of the frequency spectrum including mobile phones and base stations. All reviews conducted so far have indicated that exposures below the limits recommended in the ICNIRP (1998) EMF guidelines, covering the full frequency range from 0-300 GHz, do not produce any known adverse health effect. However, there are gaps in knowledge still needing to be filled before better health risk assessments can be made."
What more needs to be done?
WHO health risk assessment for radiofrequency fields (RF) fall within the International EMF Project. The health risk assessments are the result of in-depth critical reviews conducted through independent, scientific peer-review groups.
In May 2010, the WHO announced that they “will conduct a formal health risk assessment of radiofrequency fields exposure by 2012. Meanwhile, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a WHO specialized agency, is expected to review the carcinogenic potential of mobile phones in 2011.”
WHO has again clarified in Feb 2020, in Q&A published on its website on “5G mobile networks and health”, that “To date, and after much research performed, no adverse health effect has been causally linked with exposure to wireless technologies.” (https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/radiation-5g-mobile-networks-and-health).
