Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 Feb 1996

Vol. 462 No. 2

Written Answers. - Non-Ionising Radiation.

Michael Ferris

Question:

85 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Health the surveys, investigations or research that have been carried out to relieve the fears of the public in relation to the possible health risks of exposure to non-ionising radiation below the thermal/IRPA guidelines regarding GSM and MMDS masts in view of the fact that the current IRPA guidelines are only designed to prevent effects such as tissue heating; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4240/96]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): All significant research into non-ionsing radiation is monitored on an ongoing basis by the Department of Transport, Energy and Communications, with whom my Department maintains liaison in relation to the human health aspects. The general body of scientific evidence to date has not established a casual relationship between this form of radiation and ill health.

Telecommunications companies here are licensed by the Department of Transport, Energy and Communications. That Department has advised me that companies use low power transmitters and operate within safety limits recommended by the International Radiation Protection Association as being those within which it is safe to work and live on the basis of all presently available expert knowledge. These guidelines are subject to periodic revision and amendment with advances in knowledge and the identification of effects associated with particular frequencies and/or modes of generation. Non-ionising radiation emissions measured here have been well within the recommended limits.

The Department of Transport, Energy and Communications has also advised me that it is not correct to state that the guidelines are only designed to prevent thermal effects. The IRPA clearly state that, although the guidelines are based primarily on thermal considerations, the objective of protection against thermal effects was taken into account. In this context, as there is no predictive theory based on non-thermal considerations, available empirical data served to establish exposure limits. A very prudent approach was taken in that it was recognised that safety factors must be incorporated into the exposure limits to allow not only for the lack of scientific data but for all possible conditions under which the exposure might occur.