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France – Policy Recommendations on Cell Phones, Wireless Radiation & Health

May 8, 2017 | 0 comments

France - Policy Recommendations on Cell Phones, Wireless Radiation & Health

 

France  has several  policies in place that reduce radiofrequency radiation in schools, educate the public on how to reduce radiofrequency radiation and measure radiofrequency radiation. Here is a list of these actions.  

10/2019 The Ministers of the Ecological and Inclusive Transition, of Solidarity and of Health and of the Economy and Finance of the government of France have released a press release calling on the European Commission to strengthen the  premarket test requirements for new mobile phones by ensuring cell phone radiation SAR tests be carried out in positions of  (body) contact with the device, and not at 5 mm as is currently the requirement. Press Release

Cell Phones, Cell Towers and Wireless

PhoneGate There are  43 models of cell phones which have been either withdrawn from the French market or have seen their Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) updated by software due to ANFR tests finding excessive radiation.  

2019 Order that recommends reducing cell phone radiation with speakerphone and that posted “Keep radio equipment away from the belly of pregnant women, and away from the lower abdomen of adolescents.”

ELF- EMF  Limits Lower than ICNIRP for Sensitive Use

  •  “Zone of Caution” for Power frequency ELF-EMF in areas of sensitive use (e.g. hospitals, primary schools, kindergartens) enforced by local municipalities. (See WHO)

 

2017: The Ministry of Ecological and Solidarity Transition: “mobile phone and health” campaign on 6 Behaviors to reduce exposure to radiofrequency radiation. 

Web poster ‘Mobile phone. Adopt the 6 good behaviors’  Poster for print ‘Mobile phone. Adopt the 6 good behaviors’ 

Web pages ‘Mobile Phone and Health’ 4 pages print ‘Mobile Phone and Health’

The Ministry of Ecological and Solidarity Transition Webpage  “mobile phone and health”  

 

The Agence Nationale des Fréquences holds public information on the measurements from base stations. 

 

2016 National Decree No. 2016-1074 on the protection of workers from electromagnetic fields  to evaluate and limit exposure to EMF.

 

2015 National Legislation – “Law on sobriety, transparency, information and consultation for exposure to electromagnetic waves.”  Original Report

  • WiFi Banned in Nursery Schools, 
  • WiFi on “OFF” as Default to Minimize Exposures in Schools
  • Cell Tower Emission Compliance Verified
  • Citizens Will Have Access Cell Tower Radiation Measurements 
  • Cell Antennae Maps For the Country
  • Continued Evaluation of Health Effects
  • SAR Radiation Labeling for Phones Mandated 
  • Information on Reducing Exposures Mandatory- on cell phone package. .
  • WIFI Hotspots will be Labeled 
  • Advertisements Must Recommend Devices to Reduce Radiation Exposure to the Brain
  • Advertising for cell phone not accompanied by such a kit is forbidden. Companies in violation will be fined 75,000 Euros.
  • Children Must Be Provided Protections: At the request of the buyer, equipment reducing cell phone radiation exposures to the head for children less than 14 years should be provided.
  • New public information campaign on reducing exposure. 
  • Report on Electrohyper-sensitivity to Parliament
  • Le Monde.fr News Article: “A law to frame exposure to the airwaves”

 

Schools

2017: Cell Phones are banned in schools and playgrounds.

 

National Awareness Campaign on cell phone radiation for over a decade

2017: The Ministry of Ecological and Solidarity Transition Campaign 

2010 Tips To Reduce Exposure

French Ministry of Solidarity and Health website on electromagnetic waves.

2010 Recommendations were issued on the government website here.

 

 

Reports of the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety

  • 2013 Report Radiofrequencies and health” recommends hands free phones, SAR  labeling, and “limiting the population’s exposure to radiofrequencies… especially for children and intensive users, and controlling the overall exposure that results from relay antennas.” (Press release) 

 

 

11/2019: France: Order of November 15, 2019 

Relating to the display of the specific absorption rate of radioelectric equipment and to consumer information NOR: SSAP1834792A by the Minister of Solidarity and Health, Agnès Buzyn and the Minister of Economy and Finance, Bruno Le Maire

“TYPES OF INFORMATION TO APPEAR UNDER THE SECTION “PRECAUTIONS FOR USING THE APPLIANCE”

  • “Information on the behavior to adopt to reduce exposure to radiation emitted by radio equipment
  • Use the radio equipment under good reception conditions to reduce the amount of radiation received.
  • Use a hands-free kit or a loudspeaker, if suitable for radio equipment. Make reasonable use of radio equipment such as the mobile phone, by children and adolescents, for example by avoiding night-time communications and by limiting the frequency and duration of calls.
  • Keep radio equipment away from the belly of pregnant women.
  • Keep radio equipment away from the lower abdomen of adolescents.”

 

ELF Policy for Sensitive Areas 

“Zone of Caution” for Power frequency ELF-EMF in Areas of Sensitive Use:  

A  “zone of caution” of 1 microT from high-voltage infrastructure is recommended for new buildings with sensitive use (e.g. hospitals, primary schools, kindergartens) to be enforced by local municipalities. (See WHO) 

  • “A ministerial recommendation advises the Prefectures to avoid as far as possible the creation of new hospitals, maternity wards and childcare facilities near power lines, cables, transformers and bus bars where children are exposed to a magnetic field stronger than 1 microtesla. For new or modified electricity infrastructure, the grid operator usually tries to avoid as much as possible the creation of new electricity infrastructure near such locations when planning a new grid development. The grid operator has the legal obligation to monitor the strength of EMF near power lines in urbanised areas. Citizens can also request information about the strength of EMF from local power lines via their mayor.” RIVM Report

 

2017: Cell Phones are banned in schools and playgrounds.

  • Mobile phones will be banned in schools and colleges (middle schools in France) including playgrounds announced the Minister of National Education Jean-Michel Blanquer according to a news article published in Le Monde. The measure was confirmed by the Minister of Education. 

 

2019:The French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety Expert Assessment  on  Blue Light 

 

5/14/2019 The French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) has issued a new report reviewing the scientific evidence on health impacts including vision loss and damaged sleep from the blue light emitted from LED lights and the screens of cell phones, laptops and digital devices. 

“The new scientific data confirm the 2010 result regarding the toxicity of blue light to the eye, which can lead to failing eyesight. They show short-term phototoxic effects associated with acute exposure and long-term effects associated with chronic exposure, which increase the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration.” 

The report states that current ICNIRP optical radiation  limits are non protective in regards to these impacts and cites research linking blue light exposure to damage to the retina of the eye and the disturbance of sleep rhythms. ANSES also highlights that children are an especially vulnerable population as their eyes are still maturing and are unable to filter the blue light out as much as adults. ANSES posits this could lead to an increased risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) after chronic exposure to blue light.  AMD is a leading cause of severe vision loss in adults over age 50. 

 

 

 

2019: France: Order of November 15, 2019 relating to the display of the specific absorption rate of radioelectric equipment and to consumer information NOR: SSAP1834792A 

 

“TYPES OF INFORMATION TO APPEAR UNDER THE SECTION “PRECAUTIONS FOR USING THE APPLIANCE”

Information on the behavior to adopt to reduce exposure to radiation emitted by radio equipment

Use the radio equipment under good reception conditions to reduce the amount of radiation received.

Use a hands-free kit or a loudspeaker, if suitable for radio equipment. Make reasonable use of radio equipment such as the mobile phone, by children and adolescents, for example by avoiding night-time communications and by limiting the frequency and duration of calls.

Keep radio equipment away from the belly of pregnant women.

Keep radio equipment away from the lower abdomen of adolescents.”

Dated November 15, 2019.

The Minister of Solidarity and Health, Agnès Buzyn

The Minister of Economy and Finance, Bruno Le Maire

French Government Order of November 15, 2019 relating to the display of the specific absorption rate of radioelectric equipment and to consumer information NOR: SSAP1834792A 

2016: French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) 2016 Report “Radiofrequency Exposure and the Health of Children” recommends regulatory changes to ensure “sufficiently large safety margins” to protect the health of young children stating:

“ALL wireless devices, including tablets, cordless phones, remote controlled toys, wireless toys, baby monitors and surveillance bracelets, should be subjected to the same regulatory obligations as cell phones.” 

Recommendations of the Agency: ANSES recommends to “reconsider the regulatory exposure limits” to ensure “sufficiently large safety margins” to protect the health of young children:

  • All wireless devices, including tablets, cordless phones, remote controlled toys, wireless toys, baby monitors and surveillance bracelets, should be subjected to the same regulatory obligations as cell phones.
  • Compliance with regulatory exposure limits should be insured for the ways that devices are customarily used, such as positioned in contact with the body.
  • Exposure limits for radiofrequency electromagnetic fields should be tightened  to ensure sufficiently large safety margins to protect the health and safety of the general population, particularly the health and safety of children.
  • Reliance on the specific absorption rate (SAR) to set human exposure limits should be re-evaluated and replaced through the development of an indicator to assess real exposures for mobile phone users that applies to various conditions: signal type,  good or bad reception, mode of use (call, data loading, etc.), location device is used on the body.
  • ANSES reiterated its recommendation, as previously stated, to reduce exposure to children: minimize use and prefer a hands-free kit.

The new report has made headlines across the country.

 

2016 National Decree No. 2016-1074 on the protection of workers against the risks arising from electromagnetic fields  

2015 National Legislation – “Law on sobriety, transparency, information and consultation for exposure to electromagnetic waves.”  Original Report

  • WiFi Banned in Nursery Schools: WIFI and Wireless devices will be banned in “the spaces dedicated to home, to rest and activities of children under 3 years”.
  • WiFi on “OFF” as Default to Minimize Exposures in Schools: In elementary schools,WIFI routers should be turned off when not in use.
  • Schools Will be Informed: The school board should be informed when new tech equipment is being installed.
  • Cell Tower Emission Compliance Will Be Verified: A decree will define the limits of emission of equipments for electronic communications or transmission to which the public is exposed. These values can be verified by accredited organizations and results will be made accessible to the public through a National Radiofrequency Agency.
  • Citizens Will Have Access to Environmental/Cell Tower Radiation Measurements  Near homes: Every resident may get access  to the results of measurements for their living space.
  • Cell Antennae Maps For the Country: A description and map of the places with atypical (higher than the limits) places will be conducted at regular intervals with follow up of the actions being taken to limit the exposure. A map of all antennas will be produced for each town.
  • Continued Evaluation of Health Effects: The National Radiofrequence Agency will be in charge of surveillance and vigilance, evaluating potential risks and setting up scientific research, including information on health effects.
  • SAR Radiation Labeling Mandated: The SAR of cell phones must be clearly indicated on the package.
  • Information on Reducing Exposures Mandatory: Information on ways to reduce exposure will be detailed in the contents of the cell phone package. .
  • WIFI Hotspots will be Labeled: Places where WIFI is provided should be clearly marked with a pictogram.
  • Advertisements Must Recommend Devices That  Reduce Radiation Exposure to the Brain: Advertising for cell phones should clearly indicate the recommendation of hand free kits for protection of the head of the user and it will be included in the package. Advertising for cell phone not accompanied by such a kit is forbidden. Companies in violation will be fined 75,000 Euros.
  • Children Must Be Provided Protections: At the request of the buyer, equipment reducing cell phone radiation exposures to the head for children less than 14 years should be provided.
  • The Public Will Be Informed: Within a year, a policy of information on awareness and information on a responsible and reasonable use of cell phones and other apparatus emitting radiofrequencies will be set up.
  • Electrohyper-sensitivity Report To Be Submitted: Within a year, a report on electrohyper-sensitivity must be given to the Parliament according to the law.
  • Le Monde.fr News Article: “A law to frame exposure to the airwaves”

 

2019 ANSES Report Health Effects Low-frequency EMFs

 

“Limit the exposure of vulnerable populations close to high-voltage power lines

  • In 2010, ANSES underlined a convergence in epidemiological studies showing an association between the occurrence of childhood leukaemia and exposure to low-frequency magnetic fields at levels exceeding 0.2 µT or 0.4 µT. In the light of new data, the Agency is confirming the “limited” level of evidence associated with this long-term effect, even though this association is found less frequently in studies published after 2010.”
  • “As part of this expert appraisal, ANSES financed a study to quantify the proportion of the French population – and more specifically the proportion of children – who are exposed to this level of field, emitted by high-voltage power lines. Conducted by a team from INSERM and Caen University Hospital, the study indicates that around 40,000 children under 15 years of age (0.35% of the population) are exposed to a magnetic field of over 0.4 µT in their homes, and that around 8,000 children (0.18%) are exposed to a magnetic field of over 0.4 µT in their schools.”
  • “In view of these results, the Agency is again recommending a precautionary approach that would limit the number of vulnerable people exposed to high-voltage power lines, as well as limiting exposure. To this end, it recommends not building or developing new facilities attended by vulnerable people (hospitals, schools, etc.) immediately next to very-high voltage power lines, or running new power lines over these facilities. “ 

French National Website Informs the Public About How To Reduce Exposure 

 8 Ways To Reduce Exposure 

  1.  Protect children and youth the most. It is recommended that parents advise their children or teenagers to use their phone only for essential calls. The use of the SMS and the use of the earpiece should also be encouraged by the parents. In addition to these specific tips, other good gestures should also be adopted.
  2. Telephone with a headset: By phoning with a headset (wired or bluetooth, wireless), the phone is moved away from the head.  It is an effective way of reducing exposure to head waves. (EHT Note: Bluetooth still exposes the brain to RF so we do not recommend this.)
  1. Prefer SMS (Texting): By using SMS to communicate, one reduces the emission of waves of his telephone. Indeed, to send an SMS, the phone “connects” to the nearest relay antenna only the time to send the message. During a conversation, the phone connects to the nearest relay antenna and renews the connection regularly, especially on the go. The level of emission of waves is therefore more important. Also when sending an SMS, the notebook is away from the head.
  2. Keep the phone away from electronic implants: If you wear an electronic implant (pacemaker, insulin pump, neurostimulator …), keep your mobile phone away from the equipped area. It can disrupt the functioning of your medical device.
  3. Do not call in areas of poor reception: The less the network coverage is good, the more your phone emits waves to keep the conversation going. It is therefore recommended not to call in areas where reception is not good: underground car parks, elevators, confined spaces … Check the number of bars on your phone, it indicates the quality of coverage of the network. It is also generally prohibited to call in hospitals and airplanes because of the presence of radio-frequency devices. Your phone may cause interference and interfere with the operation of electronic devices.
  1. Move the phone away just after dialing: To limit exposure to waves at the head, you can get into the habit of not approaching the phone in your ear within seconds of dialing. Indeed, it is during these first seconds that the transmission of waves is strongest to find the nearest relay antenna. The level of wave emission then stabilizes.
  2. Avoid calling while traveling at high speeds (car, train, bus). When moving at high speed, the phone must successively connect to different relay antennas to maintain the conversation. With each search for a relay antenna, the telephone transmits at full power, the level of emission of waves is therefore regularly higher. It is therefore recommended to avoid calling by train, for example. Telephoning while driving is also prohibited and liable to a fine. The danger comes more from the distraction created by the conversation than from the immobilization of a hand.
  3. Read the information in your cell phone manual: You can find out about the level of exposure to the waves of your mobile phone: this is the DAS, whose display becomes mandatory at the points of sale in April 2011. The DAS (Specific Absorption Rate (SAR)) phones Mobile device quantifies the user’s maximum exposure level to electromagnetic waves, for use at the ear. The French regulations require that the DAS does not exceed 2 W / kg. The devices described as “anti-waves” have not proved their effectiveness.

Go to French Government Website which hosts the above 8 Ways To Reduce Exposure . You can click on the graphic to learn more. 

French National Agency on Frequencies Maintains Information On Cell Tower Radiation:

The Agence Nationale des Fréquences holds public information on the measurements from base stations.  Their website has information on their measurements of electromagnetic fields around base stations and other radio frequency emitters.

Over 150 Cities in France have refused Smartmeters

Additional Official Recommendations to Reduce Exposure

French Ministry of Solidarity and Health website on electromagnetic waves. Prior to the 2013 and 2016 recommendations, in 2012 a Brochure Téléphones mobiles, santé et sécurité (Official Recommendations to reduce exposure: Mobile phones, health and safety) was created to inform public about how to reduce exposure to cell phone radiation. In 2010 Recommendations were issued on the government website here.

 

French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) 2013 recommendations for limiting exposure to radio frequencies

The City of Lyon France’s Cell Phone Campaign

 

 

 

 

The City of Lyon France’s Cell Phone Campaign “Poster: No Cell Phone Before 12 Years old”

2010 French Law on National Commitment to the Environment Cell Phone Statute

Removal of Wifi From French Cities and Buildings

  • The Dacsupap Blog Press Release: “BNF Renounces WiFi”
  • The French National Library along with other libraries in Paris, and a number of universities have removed all Wi-Fi networks.
  • “Removing Wifi from Schools” – Herouville-Saint-Clair has removed all Wi-Fi equipment installed in  municipalities.

 

French Government Resources 

 

 

Reports of the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety

 

National Awareness Campaigns on Cell Phone Radiation

 

(PDFS In French)

 

Information Posters

 

Websites