Motion for a recommendation | Doc. 11894 | 04 May 2009

The potential dangers of electromagnetic fields and their effect on the environment

Signatories: Mr Jean HUSS, Luxembourg, SOC ; Ms Elvira CORTAJARENA ITURRIOZ, Spain ; Mr Paata DAVITAIA, Georgia, EDG ; Mr Rafael HUSEYNOV, Azerbaijan, ALDE ; Mr Ivan Nikolaev IVANOV, Bulgaria ; Ms Francine JOHN-CALAME, Switzerland, SOC ; Mr Juha KORKEAOJA, Finland, ALDE ; Mr Aleksei LOTMAN, Estonia, UEL ; Ms Kerstin LUNDGREN, Sweden ; Mr Theo MAISSEN, Switzerland ; Mr Bernard MARQUET, Monaco, ALDE ; Ms Maria Manuela de MELO, Portugal, SOC ; Mr Cezar Florin PREDA, Romania, EPP/CD ; Mr Gabino PUCHE, Spain, EPP/CD ; Mr René ROUQUET, France ; Mr Leander SCHÄDLER, Liechtenstein, EPP/CD ; Mr Valeriy SUDARENKOV, Russian Federation, SOC

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only those who have signed it.

Electromagnetic fields are a natural phenomenon and have always been present in our environment.

However, new forms of technology and various man-made sources of electromagnetic fields – radios, televisions, microwave ovens, mobile phones, relay antennas, etc – have caused an increase in the emission of electromagnetic waves.

The Assembly believes that it is in everybody’s interest to initiate dialogue among public authorities, citizens and the industrial sector in order to examine and revise the criteria which govern the installation of antennas and other sources of electromagnetic waves, particularly setting maximum levels of exposure.

Following its Recommendation 1863 (2009), Environment and health: towards a better prevention of environment-related health hazards, the Assembly deems it necessary to continue to give thought to the impact of power lines and wireless devices on the environment and health, giving special consideration to the divergent conclusions of scientific reports on the subject.