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BfS Topics in the Bundestag
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Minutes of plenary meetings and answers to parliamentary inquiries referring to the fields of responsibility of the Federal Office for Radiation Protection have been compiled here.
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Radiation Protection Aspects Regarding Full-body Scanners
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The implementation of novel full-body scanners is planned for security control mainly at airports. Such devices are tested or already routinely used at some airports. The images being produced exhibit with more or less details the body surface and visualise every object worn directly at the body. The Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) provides a first evaluation.
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Statement on the Issue of Possible Effects of High-frequency and Low-frequency Electromagnetic Fields on Animals and Plants
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Frequently, questions are posed to the Federal Office for Radiation Protection relating to possible damaging effects of high-frequency electromagnetic fields – especially of mobile telecommunication – but also of low-frequency electric and magnetic fields on animals and plants. Many questions relate to a possible influence of the electromagnetic fields on productive livestock but also on birds, bats, and trees. The scientific state of knowledge of the possible effects of electromagnetic fields on significant groups of animals and plants is summarised and evaluated.
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Bioinitiative Report
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The „Bioinitiative Working Group“, a group of critical scientists from Europe and USA published its report on 31st August 2007. Since then it is intensely discussed. The authors of the “Bioinitiative Report” conclude that the current limit values do not sufficiently protect the public from health risks due to high- and low-frequency electromagnetic fields. By contrast the BfS states that at the moment there is no reason to question the protective effect of current limit values. This statement is, among others, based on the results of the German Mobile Telecommunication Research Programme (DMF), carried out by the BfS from 2002 to 2008. The programme was one of the largest programmes worldwide relating to open scientific questions in connection with high-frequency elec-tromagnetic fields.
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Risk Factors for Childhood Leukemia
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Leukemia contributes about 1/3 of all cancers in children below the age of fifteen. This heterogeneous, multi-factorial disease of the hematopoietic system accounts for the largest proportion of all cancers in this age group, with acute lymphatic leukemia (ALL) being the most common subtype. Incidence rates show a slight increase with time.
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Statement on the final report of the REFLEX research association (5th EU Framework Program)
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Within the 5th EU Framework Program the REFLEX research association investigated biological effects of low and high-frequency electromagnetic fields in numerous in-vitro studies, i.e. in various cell cultures. Due to their biological relevance the results referring to genotoxic effects are discussed with priority. A detailed statement on the REFLEX final report (in German) and a summary of the relevant results taking into account current results of replication studies (in German) are available.
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Comments on electrosmog shielding mats
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It is frequently postulated that electromagnetic fields can cause adverse health effects at very low intensities. Because of doubtful shielding efficiency electrosmog shielding mats are neither necessary for the protection against such adverse health effects nor does the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) recommend them as a precautionary measure for reducing exposures.
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Statement on the Test of DECT Phones in the Journal ÖKO-TEST "Hier geht der Funk ab" (February 2004)
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In its February 2004 issue, the journal ÖKO-Test tested wireless phones according to the DECT Standard. Two previous articles on this subject (ed 11/1999 and 09/ 2002) have already warned against DECT Phones. The article of February 2004 was aimed at assessing whether these phones differ in radiation intensity, whether there are now any appliances with safe radiation values, and at assessing their material properties. The BfS has issued a statement on this article in German.
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BfS statement to the article "The Babysitter's daily dose" published in the November issue of ÖKO-TEST 2002
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In its November 2002 issue, the journal ÖKO-TEST repeated tests of baby monitors which are also known as nursery monitors. Exposure to low and high frequency electro-magnetic fields played a prominent role in testing the various devices. Though both ÖKO-TEST and the BfS recommend precautionary measures related to electromagnetic fields, BfS does not agree with the statement of ÖKO-TEST that electromagnetic fields can have a negative impact on human health even at low intensities and that pulsed ra-diation is particularly harmful. There is no scientifical prove for these assertions.
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BfS statement on the Article on DECT Phones “Ganz schön sendebewusst”, ÖKO-TEST September 2002
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The pulsed, permanent signals of DECT phone base stations are frequently classified in the general public as being a hazard to health. Already in the ÖKO-Test edition of November 1999 warning against digital cordless phones according to the DECT standard was expressed. In the ÖKO-Test article “Ganz schön sendebewusst” of September 2002 the topic of DECT phones was readdressed. BfS provides a statement on this article.
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Electronic Article Surveillance
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Electronic article surveillance systems (EAS) are deployed in retail stores to protect against theft. Special tags which are attached to the products interact with the electromagnetic field of detectors mounted at the entrance/exits of the stores. They can cause an alarm. Devices currently in use operate over a wide range of frequencies, using continuous wave or different pulse modalities. No health hazard from EAS is expected for the general public, since time of exposure is usually very short, but precautionary measures might be necessary for patients wearing medical devices.
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