The European Union assessments of radiofrequency radiation health risks – another hard nut to crack (Review)

Abstract

The European Union assessments of radiofrequency radiation health risks – another hard nut to crack (Review) Nyberg R, McCredden J, Hardell L. The European Union assessments of radiofrequency radiation health risks – another hard nut to crack (Review). Reviews on Environmental Health. 2023. doi: 10.1515/reveh-2023-0046. Abstract In 2017 an article was published on the unwillingness of the WHO to acknowledge the health effects associated with the use of wireless phones. It was thus stated that the WHO is ‘A Hard Nut to Crack’. Since then, there has been no progress, and history seems to be repeating in that the European Union (EU) is following in the blind man’s footsteps created by the WHO. Despite increasing evidence of serious negative effects from radiofrequency radiation on human health and the environment, the EU has not acknowledged that there are any risks. Since September 2017, seven appeals by scientists and medical doctors have been sent to the EU requesting a halt to the roll-out of the fifth generation of wireless communication (5G). The millimeter waves (MMW) and complex waveforms of 5G contribute massively harmful additions to existing planetary electromagnetic pollution. Fundamental rights and EU primary law make it mandatory for the EU to protect the population, especially children, from all kinds of harmful health effects of wireless technology. However, several experts associated with the WHO and the EU have conflicts of interest due to their ties to industry. The subsequent prioritizing of economic interests is resulting in human and planetary health being compromised. Experts must make an unbiased evaluation with no conflicts of interest. The seven appeals to the EU have included requests for immediate protective action, which have been ignored. On the issue of wireless radiation and the health of citizens, the EU seems to be another hard nut to crack. Section headings • Introduction • ICNIRP guidelines are an inadequate basis for EU policy • Evidence of harm from wireless EMF provided to EU • Complex real-world exposures not addressed by ICNIRP • 5G science consistent with previous wireless EMF science, warning the EU of harm • Conflicts of interests in ICNIRP and SCENIHR • SCHEER is misleading EU • EU is condoning an unethical mass experiment • Safe, energy efficient alternatives exist • Smart utility meters need to be wired • EU Green Deal compromised by wireless deployment • Fundamental rights, new policy needed • Towards a health protective and energy saving EU policy • Concluding remarks "In 2017 an article was published on the lack of WHO willingness to acknowledge health effects from use of wireless phones. It was stated that WHO is a hard nut to crack [69]. This statement now seems to be true of the EU. In spite of being provided with increasing evidence of the negative effects on human health, no measures have been taken to reduce exposure or to educate people on the risks. On the contrary, ambient exposure has increased [103]. Protests and comments by scientific experts and several organisations including non- governmental organization (NGOs) have been ignored. Instead, the EU has heeded only the opinions of a handful of experts, associated with WHO, ICNIRP, and SCHEER, with conflicts of interest due to ties with industry. Therefore, any opinion these “experts” may give on wireless EMF and human health is compromised. It is urgent that unbiased evaluations of risks be made by experts with no conflicts of interest. In spite of thousands of scientific reports proving harmful effects of wireless EMF, all seven appeals sent to the EU since 2017 have been neglected. These reviews have requested immediate action from the EU on its mandated responsibilities; i.e., to protect humans and the environment instead of promoting industry interests." Open access paper: doi.org

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

The review argues that EU institutions have not acknowledged health risks from radiofrequency radiation despite what the authors describe as increasing evidence of negative effects on human health and the environment. It states that multiple scientific/medical appeals to halt 5G rollout and take protective actions have been ignored, and alleges conflicts of interest among experts associated with WHO/ICNIRP/SCHEER influencing EU policy.

Outcomes measured

• human health effects (unspecified)
• environmental effects (unspecified)
• policy adequacy (EU assessments; ICNIRP/SCHEER/SCENIHR)
• conflicts of interest in expert assessments
• 5G (millimeter waves; complex waveforms) health risk concerns
• smart utility meter wiring recommendation

Limitations

• Narrative/policy-focused review; no methods, inclusion criteria, or evidence synthesis approach described in the provided abstract
• No specific health endpoints, exposure metrics, or quantitative results reported in the abstract
• Claims about evidence base and conflicts of interest are not supported with detailed data in the abstract

Suggested hubs

• 5g-policy (0.9)
  Discusses EU policy responses to 5G rollout, including appeals to halt deployment and concerns about millimeter waves.
• who-icnirp (0.85)
  Focuses on WHO/ICNIRP-related guideline influence and alleged conflicts of interest affecting EU assessments.
• smart-meters (0.6)
  Includes a section stating smart utility meters need to be wired.

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    "study_type": "review",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "wireless technology (including 5G)",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": null,
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
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        "environmental effects (unspecified)",
        "policy adequacy (EU assessments; ICNIRP/SCHEER/SCENIHR)",
        "conflicts of interest in expert assessments",
        "5G (millimeter waves; complex waveforms) health risk concerns",
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    "main_findings": "The review argues that EU institutions have not acknowledged health risks from radiofrequency radiation despite what the authors describe as increasing evidence of negative effects on human health and the environment. It states that multiple scientific/medical appeals to halt 5G rollout and take protective actions have been ignored, and alleges conflicts of interest among experts associated with WHO/ICNIRP/SCHEER influencing EU policy.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Narrative/policy-focused review; no methods, inclusion criteria, or evidence synthesis approach described in the provided abstract",
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        "Claims about evidence base and conflicts of interest are not supported with detailed data in the abstract"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
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    "peer_reviewed_likely": "unknown",
    "keywords": [
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        "radiofrequency radiation",
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        "5G",
        "millimeter waves",
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        "SCHEER",
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        "conflicts of interest",
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}

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