Radiation Protection > Non-Ionising Radiation at Workplaces > Electromagnetic fields

Radiation Protection

Non-Ionising Radiation at Workplaces - Electromagnetic fields







Legislation The Department of Labour Inspection implements legislation on the safety and health of persons at work, which covers the risks likely to arise from exposure to non-ionising radiation, including electromagnetic fields, to ensure an adequate level protection for workers and other persons at workplaces. The Directive 2013/35/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 laying down minimum health and safety requirements to protect workers against the risks of exposure to electromagnetic fields, and repealing Directive 2004/40/EC, has been transposed to the national framework through the Health and Safety at Work (Electromagnetic Fields) Regulations of 2016 (P.I. 288/2016), which have been published in the Official Gazette of the Republic on 14/10/2016 (text in Greek). Non-binding guide to good practice for SMEs Based on Article 14 of the Directive 2013/35/EU, the European Commission issued in November 2015 a non-binding practical guide (Guide for SMEs, Volume 1- Practical guide, Volume 2 - Case studies) in order to facilitate the implementation of legislation on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding exposure of workers to risks arising from physical agents (electromagnetic fields). Opinions of European Scientific Committees NEW 11.3.2020 New ICNIRP Guidelines on Limiting Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields (radiofrequency electromagnetic fields in the range 100 kHz to 300 GHz). The main differences between the 2020 Guidelines and the 1998 ones can be found here. Note of ICNIRP on recent animal studies investigating the carcinogenic potential of long-term exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs) associated with mobile phones. ICNIRP concludes that these studies do not provide a reliable basis for revising the existing radiofrequency exposure guidelines. The draft of the ICNIRP Guidelines on Limiting Exposure to Time-Varying Electric, Magnetic and Electromagnetic Fields (100 kHz to 300 GHz) is now ready for public consultation. Deadline: 9 October 2018. More information is available at the ICNIRP's website. Updated Opinion (January 2015) of the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR) of the European Commission regarding potential health effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields (abstract of the Opinion; the Opinion in simplified language). Results of the public consultation held in the period 4.2.2014 – 16.4.2014 on the preliminary opinion of SCENIHR regarding potential health effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields. All opinions of the scientific committees SCENIHR and CSTEE (Scientific Committee on Toxicity, Ecotoxicity and the Environment) of the European Commission regarding potential health effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields are available here. These scientific opinions provide no scientific justification to revise the exposure limits applied. However, it is recognised that the basic data for the evaluation of certain risks remain limited, especially for long-term exposure to low-level electromagnetic fields and, for this reason, further scientific research is required. Further information NEW Comparative study of the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport on policies implemented in Europe and internationally to protect the population and workers against exposure to electromagnetic fields. Questions and answers on potential health effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields (updated edition 2015), based on the January 2015 SCENIHR’s updated opinion. Questions and answers on potential health effects of exposure to electric and magnetic fields from high voltage power lines, cables and electrical devices (ELF – extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields), based on the publication "Non-Ionising Radiation, Part 1: Static and Extremely Low-Frequency (ELF) Electric and Magnetic Fields" (2002) of the International Agency on Cancer Research (IACR) of the World Health Organisation. Further relevant information is available on the website of the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). Questions and answers on potential health effects of exposure to static fields (e.g. in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment, television systems, etc.). Further information is available on the website of the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). ICNIRP Statement on Diagnostic Devices Using NIR (February 2017). Statement of the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) (2012) concerning health issues associated with exposure to electromagnetic fields from Millimeter Wave Whole Body Imaging devices. The operation of these devices is based on electromagnetic fields and these must not be confused with ionising radiation scanners (e.g. X-ray backscattering scanners). Further information on ionising radiation scanners is available in a SCENIHR Opinion (of 2012) and in a Heads of European Radiological Protection Competent Authorities (HERCA) working group report (of 2010). Also, see questions and answers on the exposure to ionising radiation from scanners used for security purposes (security scanners) at airports. Information on potential health effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields from wireless networks WI-FI/WLAN. Information on potential health effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields from mobile cellular phones. Information on potential health effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields from mobile phone base stations. Information on potential health effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields from the use of wireless phones DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications). The basic restrictions and reference levels set out in the European legislation (the 2013 Directive and the 1999 Recommendation) are based on guidelines of the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), which is a body of independent experts recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO): WHO newsletter concerning exposure to extremely-low frequency electric and magnetic fields (June 2007). WHO Fact Sheet on base stations and wireless technologies (May 2006). WHO newsletter concerning exposure to electromagnetic fields from mobile phones (October 2014). WHO newsletter concerning exposure to static electric and magnetic fields (March 2006). Exposure limit values to electromagnetic fields for workers and the general public The official limits of exposure to electromagnetic fields applied in the Republic of Cyprus are: For the protection of workers, the Exposure Limit Values (ELV) and Action Levels (AL) laid down in the Health and Safety at Work (Electromagnetic Fields) Regulations of 2016 (P.I. 288/2016), transposing Directive 2013/35/EU; For the protection of the public, the basic restrictions and reference levels set out in the Recommendation 1999/519/EC. Related meetings Workshop on "Electromagnetic fields and health effects: from science to policy making and public information", Athens, Greece, 27 March 2014. The 8th ICNIRP workshop on non-ionising radiation took place in Cape Town, South Africa, 9-11 May 2016, in conjunction with the work of the 14th Symposium of the International Radiation Protection Association (IRPA). An ICNIRP relevant presentation concerning the HF guidelines that are currently under review is available here. The BIOEM 2016 joint meeting of the Bioelectromagnetics Society (BEMS) and the European BioElectromagnetics Association (EBEA) was held between 5-10 June 2016, in Gent, Belgium.

Back