m.sc. Daniela Bertić, Senior Lecturer UFGZ; Marja Čolak, vice president of HUZEZ; M.Sc. sc. ANKICA KOSOVEC-KRŽELJ, B.Sc. Eng. el. Croatian association for protection against electromagnetic radiation HUZEZ
SUMMARY
The extensive development of new technologies has brought dramatic positive changes on a global level in the way of communication, business and everyday life, but it has also brought a number of potential risks for human health and the environment. This is why it is extremely important to use mobile technologies responsibly, as well as to develop awareness of possible unwanted consequences, especially taking into account "vulnerable" groups such as children and young people.
Existing legislation in Croatia, when it comes to protecting people's health from increasingly aggressive exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields from mobile phone base stations, unfortunately does not follow the positive practice of most EU countries. The Croatian Association for Protection against Electromagnetic Radiation (HUZEZ) warns of this fact, which is presenting a series of educational public forums. in the media, with reasoned letters to competent institutions, he is trying to raise public awareness of the existence of the problem and to initiate a change in insufficient quality legal solutions.
1. RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION FOR PROTECTION AGAINST NON-IONIZING RADIATION
The International Commission for Protection against Non-Ionizing Radiation (ICNIRP) issued in 1998 guidelines (ICNIRP GUIDELINES) and recommended limits of permissible radiation for the frequency spectrum 0-300 GHz. Although the document states that the limits will be continuously revised in accordance with new research, those for the frequency range above 100 kHz, which includes the radio frequencies used by mobile telephony, have not yet been revised, even though mobile technologies have experienced a global expansion in the past 15 years. In the guidelines from 1998, it is expressly emphasized that the proposed limits are based only on short-term thermal effects (stimulation of peripheral nerves and muscles, burns) and that the effects of long-term exposure on increasing the risk of cancer were not taken into account when defining them, given that the data base available at the time was not sufficient to define limits that would include biological effects on the cells of the human body.
Four years later, the same body issued the ICNIRP STATEMENT 2002 document, which calls for the application of alternative strategies to limit risks, if the available data indicating possible harmful effects are not sufficient to determine limit levels. With that document, ICNIRP in a certain way distanced itself from its own recommendation of limit levels, as safe when it comes to the possible risk for malignant diseases.
2. POINTS OF VIEW OF THE RELEVANT INSTITUTIONS
2.1 Resolution of the EU Parliament
The question of the impact of electromagnetic fields on human health was also considered by the EU Parliament.
In Resolution no. 2252 (INI) adopted on September 4, 2008, among other things states:
• EMF exposure limits set for the general public are outdated. They do not take into account the impact of information and communication technologies on vulnerable groups, such as pregnant women, newborns and children;
In the meantime, the BIOINITIATIVE group continued to intensively monitor, evaluate and compare the results of all published epidemiological studies and scientific research on the impact of low-intensity EM radiation on human health. The latest report, published in April 2014, warns of the health risk of wireless technologies. It is stated that studies published in 2012 and 2013 establish a consistent association of increased risk of glioma (malignant brain tumor) as well as acoustic neuroma with the use of mobile and wireless phones. On the basis of the existing epidemiological evidence, the opinion was taken that radio frequency fields should be classified as a "known human carcinogen", that is, the WHO classification should be changed from group 2B to A..
The aforementioned report points out that 65 percent (74 out of 114) of published studies prove the genetic impact of radio frequency radiation (damage to DNA), while 68 percent (144 out of 211) of studies found an impact on the nervous system. It is stated that mobile wireless devices (phones and tablets) are a great source of unnecessary biological stress for the mind and body, and it is warned about the need to use wired Internet access in schools.
Resolution no. 2211 (INI) from 02.04.2009 The EU Parliament expresses the view that wireless technology (mobile phones, Wi-Fi / WiMAX, Bluetooth, DECT landlines) emitting EM fields can have negative effects on human health, especially for young people whose brains are still developing.
In that resolution, the EU Parliament:
• condemns the aggressive marketing campaigns of teleoperators that include the sale of mobile phones and appropriate packages intended for children and young people;
• draws attention to the caution and recommendation that mobile phones should not be used beyond reasonable limits when it comes to children;
• encourages a wide range of campaigns to raise awareness among the young population about the need to use hands-free sets, keep calls as short as possible, turn off cell phones when not in use, and use them in areas with a good signal;
2.2 Resolution of the Council of Europe
In Resolution VE no. 1815 points out that telecommunications and mobile telephony "seem to have more or less potentially harmful, non-thermal, biological effects on the human body even when exposed to levels lower than the official limit values".
VE strongly recommends the application of the precautionary principle and warns that waiting for exact scientific and clinical evidence before taking measures to prevent known risks can have a very high cost to health and the economy, as was the case with asbestosis, leaded petrol and tobacco.
The resolution requests, among other things:
• taking all reasonable measures to reduce exposure to electromagnetic fields, especially radio frequencies from mobile phones, especially children and young people, as the most at-risk group for head tumors;
• review of the scientific basis for the existing ICNIRP standards due to their serious limitations;
• campaigns to raise awareness about the risks of potentially harmful biological effects of electromagnetic fields on the environment and human health, especially young people and people of reproductive age;
• protection of electro-sensitive persons suffering from the syndrome of intolerance to electromagnetic fields;
• encouraging research and development of telecommunications based on technologies that are equally effective, but less harmful to health and the environment;
• setting preventive limits for long-term exposure at 1% of the current ICNIRP values;
3. LEGAL REGULATION IN CROATIA
Despite assurances to the contrary, Croatia has significantly less quality legislation on the installation of mobile phone base stations than other countries in Europe, which, in addition to respecting the permitted radiation limits, also apply a number of alternative strategies to avoid and limit health risks. This includes the obligation to transparently communicate plans for the development of mobile networks with the local administration and the local community, agreement on the locations for the installation of base stations, compliance with urban, aesthetic and landscape criteria for the placement of antenna poles and roof supports in the space, alignment with spatial plans, the preparation of environmental and/or health impact studies and similar documents, which, in accordance with point 8.4.4 of Resolution VE 1385, ensure that mobile telephony antennas are not installed exclusively and only according to the interests of the tele operator, but in agreement with the local or regional administration and the local community as well as associations of concerned citizens. A comparative overview of the legislation of all European countries is given in the study "Base Station Planning Permission" published by the World Association of Mobile Operators (GSMA-E). According to that study, Croatia is one of only four countries in Europe (along with Romania, Portugal and Slovakia) in which public discussion and consultation with local government authorities are not mandatory, and in addition, no construction or location permits are required for the installation of antenna towers on the ground and base stations on the roofs of existing buildings. criteria of distance from residential buildings, schools or kindergartens, as well as height in relation to the surrounding buildings. Contrary to point 8.3.1 of the Council of Europe, there are no information campaigns aimed at teachers, parents and children with the aim of raising awareness about the less risky ways of using mobile phones that it recommends EU Parliament Resolution 2211(INI).
4. CIVIL INITIATIVES AND CIVIL SOCIETY ASSOCIATIONS
Aggressive installation of base stations in densely populated exclusively residential areas, in the immediate vicinity of schools, kindergartens and social facilities where vulnerable groups reside, leads to spontaneous dissatisfaction of citizens and initiatives to define the rules for the implementation of such facilities in space. Tele operators have a standard answer ― we respect the laws of the Republic of Croatia, we have all the necessary permits from the competent institutions―. They do not state that they only need the permission of the Ministry of Health, which, given the relatively high limits of permissible radiation, macro cell base stations installed on family houses about 10 meters from windows and balconies in the neighborhood get without any problems, and the permission of the owner of the roof or land. Another standard answer is that "there is no scientifically based evidence that the levels of radiation emitted by mobile phone devices are harmful to human health."
HUZEZ, as an association operating at the national level, tries to raise the level of awareness of Croatian citizens about the need to apply the precautionary principle and respect the recommendations of the relevant EU institutions. Given that in Croatia there is no publicly available data on the installed sources of non-ionizing radiation and the results of measuring the emissions of their electromagnetic fields, HUZEZ has placed an interactive map on its website where citizens can report problems related to for electromagnetic radiation, enter the location and post a photo. The large number of applications is a clear illustration of the chaotic situation throughout the country. Although faced with growing dissatisfaction and criticism from the public, building permits were required in Croatia until 2009, then they were abolished in 2011 for the antenna pole with the base station. 2014 for the "antenna pole of electronic communication equipment, including electronic communication equipment." With the new Rulebook from 2014, the Ministry of Health doubled the limits of permissible radiation for professional exposure of workers, abolished the daily limit of a maximum of 8 hours, and by introducing the term "public area" in populated areas narrowed the area of "increased sensitivity" and by raising the limit practically to the ICNIRP level, completely suspended the precautionary principle in those areas.
violated the binding Directive 2013/35/EU of the EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT and COUNCIL of 26 June 2013, which defines the minimum health and safety standards for the exposure of workers to electromagnetic fields and which does not allow a setback in the existing protection standards in its member states. Therefore, in May 2015, HUZEZ filed a complaint against the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Croatia
According to the current legislation in the Republic of Croatia, the relevant ministries put the commercial interests of telecom operators in the foreground, at the expense of the right to transparent information and the participation of the local community and local authorities in the selection of locations for the installation of base stations - what to do? The answer is - to strengthen civil society associations, the involvement of the interested public, transparent communication with the local community and local government bodies. The media can also play a crucial role in raising awareness about the potential health risks of excessive use of mobile phones.
THE IMPORTANCE AND ROLE OF CIVIL SOCIETY IN THE LEGISLATIVE CHANGES REGARDING THE INSTALLATION OF BASE STATIONS
M.Sc. Daniela Bertic, Senior Lecturer UFGZ, Marja Colak, Vice HUZEZ, M.Sc. Sc. ANKICA Kosovec-KRŽELJ, BSc. Eng. el. , Croatian Association for Protection of electromagnetic radiation HUZEZ
ABSTRACT
The extensive development of new technologies has brought a dramatic positive change on a global level in communication, business and everyday life, but also brought a number of potential risks to human health and the environment. Therefore it is extremely important to the responsible use of mobile technology, as well as raising awareness about the possible adverse consequences, especially taking into account the "vulnerable" groups such as children and young people.
The current legislation in Croatia, when it comes to protecting people's health by becoming more aggressive exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields from mobile telephone base stations, unfortunately does not follow the good practice of the majority of EU countries. This fact warns Croatian Association for Protection of electromagnetic radiation (HUZEZ), that a series of educational public forums, appearances in the media, argued letters to the competent institutions trying to raise public awareness of the problem and initiate change in poor-quality legal solutions.
The first recommendations of the International Commission for Protection against Non-Ionizing Radiation
The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) has issued in 1998. Guidelines (ICNIRP guidelines) and recommended the limits of permissible radiation for the frequency range 0-300 GHz. While the document states that border continuously revised according to new research, one for the frequency range above 100 kHz, in entering the radio frequencies used by mobile phones, have not yet been revised, although in the past 15 years mobile technology experienced global expansion. In the 1998 guidelines explicitly emphasizes that the proposed limits are based only on short-term thermal effects (stimuli peripheral nerves and muscles, burns) and that in their defining did not take into account the effects of long term exposure to increased risk of cancer, due to the fact that Base then available data was not sufficient to define the boundaries of which would include the biological effects on cells of the human body.
Four years later, the same body issued the document ICNIRP STATEMENT 2002 that required the use of alternative strategies for limiting the risks, if the available information indicates possible harmful effects are not sufficient to determine threshold levels. This document ICNIRP in a way distanced itself from its own recommendations threshold levels, as safe when it comes to the possible risk of malignancies.
2nd POSITION relevant institutions 2.1 Resolution of the EU Parliament
The issue of the impact of electromagnetic fields on human health were discussed by the EU Parliament.
In Resolution no. 2252 (INI) adopted on 04.09.2008, inter alia states:
• limits of exposure to electromagnetic fields which have been set for the general public are obsolete. They do not take into account the impact of information and communication technologies on vulnerable groups, such as pregnant women, infants and children;
• expressed great concern BIOINITIATIVE Report on EM fields which summarizes over 1500 studies on that topic and points to the health risks of emissions of mobile telephones (cell phones, Wi-Fi / WiMAX, Bluetooth, DECT landline telephones); Meanwhile, the group continued BIOINITIATIVE intensively monitor, evaluate and compare the results of all published and epidemiological studies and scientific research of the influence of EM radiation of low intensity on human health. The latest report, published in April 2014, warns of the health risks of wireless technologies. It said the study published in 2012 and 2013, establishes a consistent link between an increased risk of glioma (malignant brain tumors), as well as acoustic neuroma with the use of mobile and cordless phones. On the basis of existing epidemiological evidence taken the view that radio frequency fields should be classified as a "known human carcinogen", or change the classification of the WHO from the group 2B in the A ..
In the mentioned report points out that 65 percent (74 of 114) of published studies proving the genetic influence of radio frequency radiation (DNA damage), while in 68 percent (144 of 211) studies determined the impact on the nervous system. It is alleged that as mobile wireless devices (phones and tablets) major source of unnecessary stress for biological mind and body and highlight the need to use the wired Internet access in schools.
Resolution no. 2211 (INI) 02.04.2009 EU Parliament expressed the view that wireless technology (mobile phones, Wi-Fi / WiMAX, Bluetooth, DECT landline telephones) that emits EM fields may have adverse effects on human health, especially for young people whose brains are still developing. In that resolution the EU Parliament:
• condemns the aggressive marketing campaign teleoperator involving the sale of mobile phones and festive packages for children and young people;
• draws attention to the caution and recommendation that mobile phones should not be used beyond reasonable limits when it comes to children;
• promotes a wide range of campaigns to raise awareness among the young population on the need to use hands-free sets, the shortest duration of the call, turning off cell phones when not in use and in areas with good signal;
• calls on Member States to follow the example of Sweden and to recognize people suffering from electrical hypersensitivity to give them the appropriate protection, and equal opportunities for development;
2.2 Resolution of the Council of Europe
In Resolution No. VE. 1815 pointed out that telecommunications and mobile telephony, "seem to have more or less potentially harmful, non-thermal, biological effects on the human body even at exposure levels lower than the official limit values".
CoE strongly recommended the application of the precautionary principle and warned that waiting for exact scientific and clinical proof before taking action to prevent well-known risks, can have a very high cost for the health and the economy, as it was in the case of asbestosis, leaded petrol and tobacco.
The resolution, among other things asks:
• take all reasonable measures to reduce exposure to electromagnetic fields, especially to radio frequencies of mobile phones, especially children and youth, as well as the highest risk for tumors of the head;
• review the scientific basis for the existing ICNIRP standards because of their serious limitations;
• campaigns to raise awareness about the risks of potentially harmful biological effects of electromagnetic fields on the environment and human health, especially young people of reproductive age;
• protection electro sensitive persons suffering from the syndrome of intolerance to electromagnetic fields;
• promoting research and development of telecommunications-based technologies that are equally effective, but less harmful to health and the environment;
• setting up preventive limit for long-term exposure to 1% of the current value of the ICNIRP;
3. LEGAL IN CROATIA
Contrary to the assurances, Croatia has a considerably lower quality legislation setting up mobile telephone base stations than other countries in Europe, which in addition to compliance with h allowable limits of radiation, and apply a range of alternative strategies for avoiding and limiting health risks. This includes the obligation to transparent communication plans for the development of mobile networks with the local administration and the local community, an agreement on the location for setting up base stations, respecting urban, aesthetic and landscape criteria accommodation masts and roof acceptance in space, harmonization with spatial planning, development impact study environmental and / or health and similar documents, which, in accordance with paragraph 8.4.4 of Resolution VE 1385, ensures that the cell tower is not placed solely and only to the interests of the calf operators, but in agreement with local and regional governments and Space community and associations of concerned citizens. A comparative overview of the legislation of all the countries of Europe is presented in the study "Base Station Planning Permission" issued by the World Association of mobile operators (GSMA-E). According to this study, Croatia is one of only four countries in Europe (along with Romania, Portugal and Slovakia) which is not mandatory public hearing as well as consultations with local government bodies, and also to set up antenna towers on the ground and base stations on the roofs of existing buildings does not need any building location permit.
Croatia does not provide for any possible distance criteria from residential buildings, schools and kindergartens as well as the height in relation to the surrounding buildings.
In Croatia, contrary to Section 8.3.1. Council of Europe Resolution 1385, do not carry out information campaigns through the ministries of health, education and environmental protection aimed at teachers, parents and children to alert the specific risks of long-term use of mobile phones and other devices that emit radio frequency radiation. I do not encourage it either campaign to raise awareness about less risky ways of using mobile phones recommended by the EU Parliament Resolution 2211 (INI).
4th civic initiatives and civil society organizations
Aggressive setting up base stations in densely populated exclusively residential areas, near schools, daycare centers and facilities of social purpose in which they reside vulnerable groups, leading to spontaneous dissatisfaction of citizens and initiatives to define the rules for implementation of such objects in space. Calf operators have a standard response "we respect the laws of the Republic of Croatia, we have all the necessary permission from the competent institution." When this does not suggest that they should only permit the Ministry of Health, which given the relatively high limits of permissible radiation, no problem getting the macro cell base station placed on family houses 10 meters from windows and balconies in the neighborhood, and the permission of the roof or land. Another standard answer is that "there are no scientifically based evidences that the levels of radiation emitted by mobile devices are harmful to human health".
2B OR NOT 2B – PANDORINA KUITJA ” “2B OR NOT 2B – PANDORAS' BOX“
HUZEZ, as an organization that operates on a national level, trying to raise awareness of Croatian citizens about the need to apply the precautionary principle, and taking into account the relevant recommendations of the EU institutions. Given that Croatia is not publicly available data set sources of ionizing radiation and not the results of measurements of emissions of their electromagnetic fields, HUZEZ set up an interactive map on which citizens can report issues related to electromagnetic radiation. A large number of applications is a vivid illustration of the chaotic conditions around the country.
Ministry of Health and Construction, although faced with growing discontent and criticism from the public, diminishing them the current situation permits, then were eliminated first to accept the roof, and in 2014 for "mast to electronic communications equipment." sensitivity" and raising the limits on the ICNIRP virtually a fully suspended principle precautions in these areas.
This violated binding Directive 2013/35 / EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26.06.2013.g., which defines the minimum health and safety standards for workers' exposure to risks of electromagnetic fields and which does not allow the decline in existing standards of its members. HUZEZ is due in May 2015 the European Commission submitted a complaint against the Ministry of Health of Croatia. We have been informed that the application has been registered, but the answer to it is still waiting for half a year. government body in the selection of location for base cells.
The relevant EU institutions generally provide recommendations and guidelines, but leave it to its members to decide independently on the levels of radiation and other mechanisms of protection against electromagnetic fields of mobile devices can play a crucial role and media.
