International guidelines - positions - legislation
Since the end of the 1970s scientific research has been conducted on the possible effects of radio waves from mobile phones and mobile telephony base stations on the human body whereas research on the effects of electromagnetic waves on human health have been underway since the Second World War. Many independent scientific bodies have prepared guidelines to minimise exposure to radio waves, analyzing all the scientific research and evaluating all scientific programs. The purpose of all these scientific organisations is to protect the public's health from possible effects of electromagnetic radiation.
WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION
As far as research on the impact of non-ionizing radiation on human health is concerned, the World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that the reference levels proposed in the ICNIRP Guidelines have been based on careful examination of all the relevant scientific writings, taking into account thermal and non-thermal effects and offer protection against all confirmed risks from exposure to RF radiation, with considerable safety margins.
INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION ON NON-IONIZING RADIATION PROTECTION (ICNIRP)
The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) is a non-governmental organisation officially recognised by the WHO which evaluates the scientific results of studies from around the world. After detailed examination of the results the Commission issues guidelines on protection of the public from exposure to electromagnetic radiation. In 1998 the ICNIRP issued the following document: Guidelines for Limiting Exposure to Time-Varying Electric, Magnetic, and Electromagnetic Fields (up to 300 GHz). Health Physics 74 (4): 494-522; 1998.
EUROPEAN UNION
Council Recommendation of July 12, 1999 on the limitation of exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields (0 Hz to 300 GHz) (1999/519/EC) is based in ICNIRP/WHO guidelines (Health Physics, April 1998, Vol. 74, No. 4:494-522.
GREECE
The Greek government has adopted Joint Ministerial Decision No. 53571/3839 on measures to protect the public from the operation of land-based antennas (Government Gazette 1105/B/6.9.2000) which reduced the limits in the EU Council Recommendation by 20%. Law 3431/2006 on electronic communications and other provisions (Government Gazette 13/A/3.2.2006) inserts another additional safety factor and further reduces the limits by 30% from those in the European Recommendation and international guidelines making them among the strictest in Europe. In addition this law specifies a minimum distance from premises occupied by vulnerable groups (schools, old-people's homes, hospitals) within which the exposure limits from antennas are reduced another 10% and are just 60% of those which apply generally at EU level.
