SL11
Population Health Directorate
Castle Buildings
Stormont Estate
Belfast BT4 3SQ
Tel: 028 90522020
Our Ref: DOH/EIR-2018-01
Date:
19th September 2018
Dear Ms Harron
ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION REGULATIONS 2004
I refer to your request sent to the Department of Health on 30th August 2018, which
we have processed under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.
For ease of reference I am copying your request below:
The World Health Organisation’s (WHO) International Agency for Research on
Cancer (IARC) classified wireless radiation (RF/EMF) as a Group 2B ‘Possible
Human Carcinogen’ from 2011 onwards, based on scientific evidence that
linked wireless exposure with increased risks of brain or head tumours,
damage to DNA and other types of genotoxicity, increased oxidative stress
and evidence from animal studies.
The World Health Organisation’s (WHO) IARC 2B ‘Possibly Carcinogenic to
Humans’ classification includes wireless RF/EMF radiation from any
transmitting source in the range of 30 KHz to 300 GHz emitted from any device.
This includes mobile phones, tablet computers/iPads, Wi-Fi devices, etc.
https://ehtrust.org/science/whoiarc-position-on-wireless-and-health/
The 2013 World Health Organisation’s IARC published their full report or
monograph ‘The evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans’. Vol 102
outlines that children absorb wireless (RF/EMF) radiation deeper into their
bodies than adults and also states that the classification includes exposure to
all radiofrequency radiation [RF] and not just mobile phones, pages 34 & 33 of
http://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Monographs/vol102/mono102.pdf.
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland [UK] is a member
state and also participates in the Governing Council of the World Health
Organisation’s International Agency for Research on Cancer. The UK was also
a founding member of the World Health Organisation’s International Agency
for Research on Cancer in 1965. https://www.iarc.fr/en/about/membership.php
Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information
Regulations 2004, you are requested to provide the following:
1. All documents written or electronic, scientific studies or reports, World
Health Organisation’s International Agency for Research on Cancer
monographs and classifications, or any other form of evidence in which it is
stated that “Wi-Fi exposure is safe and poses no risk to children’s health,
including cancer”.
If you, Richard Pengelly, acting as the Permanent Secretary of The Department
of Health, confirm that there are no such documents, please answer: “The
Department of Health do not hold any documents, written or electronic,
scientific studies or reports, World Health Organisation’s International Agency
for Research on Cancer monographs and classifications, or any other form of
evidence stating that Wi-Fi exposure is safe and poses no risk to children’s
health, including cancer".
2. All documents written or electronic, scientific studies or reports, World
Health Organisation’s International Agency for Research on Cancer
monographs and classifications, etc. in which it is stated the known safe level
of exposure for children aged 0-4 years to wireless RF/EMF radiation,
including Wi-Fi.
If you, Richard Pengelly, acting as the Permanent Secretary of the Department
of Health, confirm that there are no such documents please answer: “No
known safe levels of exposure to wireless RF/EMF radiation, including Wi-Fi,
for children aged 0-4 years are held by the Department of Health.”
3. All documents written or electronic, scientific studies or reports, World
Health Organisation’s International Agency for Research on Cancer
monographs and classifications, etc. in which it is stated the known safe level
of exposure for children aged 4-11 years to wireless RF/EMF radiation,
including Wi-Fi.
If you, Richard Pengelly, acting as the Permanent Secretary of the Department
of Health, confirm that there are no such documents please answer: “No
known safe levels of exposure to wireless RF/EMF radiation, including Wi-Fi,
for children aged 4-11 years are held by the Department of Health.”
4. All documents written or electronic, scientific studies or reports, World
Health Organisation’s International Agency for Research on Cancer
monographs and classifications, etc. in which it is stated the known safe level
of exposure for children aged 12-18 years to wireless RF/EMF radiation,
including Wi-Fi.
If you, Richard Pengelly, acting as the Permanent Secretary of the Department
of Health, confirm that there are no such documents please answer: “No
known safe levels of exposure to wireless RF/EMF radiation, including Wi-Fi,
for children aged 12-18 years are held by the Department of Health.”
5. All documents written or electronic, scientific studies or reports, World
Health Organisation’s International Agency for Research on Cancer
monographs and classifications, etc. in which it is stated the known safe level
of exposure for children with Down’s Syndrome aged 0-4 years to wireless
RF/EMF radiation, including Wi-Fi.
If you, Richard Pengelly, acting as the Permanent Secretary of the Department
of Health, confirm that there are no such documents please answer: “No
known safe levels of exposure to wireless RF/EMF radiation, including Wi-Fi,
for children with Down’s Syndrome aged 0-4 years are held by the Department
of Health.”
6. All documents written or electronic, scientific studies or reports, World
Health Organisation’s International Agency for Research on Cancer
monographs and classifications, etc. in which it is stated the known safe level
of exposure for children with Down’s Syndrome aged 4-11 years to wireless
RF/EMF radiation, including Wi-Fi.
If you, Richard Pengelly, acting as the Permanent Secretary of the Department
of Health, confirm that there are no such documents please answer: “No
known safe levels of exposure to wireless RF/EMF radiation, including Wi-Fi,
for children with Down’s Syndrome aged 4-11 years are held by the
Department of Health.”
7. All documents written or electronic, scientific studies or reports, World
Health Organisation’s International Agency for Research on Cancer
monographs and classifications, etc. in which it is stated the known safe level
of exposure for children with Down’s Syndrome aged 12-18 years to wireless
RF/EMF radiation, including Wi-Fi.
If you, Richard Pengelly, acting as the Permanent Secretary of the Department
of Health, confirm that there are no such documents please answer: “No
known safe levels of exposure to wireless RF/EMF radiation, including Wi-Fi,
for children with Down’s Syndrome aged 12-18 years are held by the
Department of Health.”
The Department of Health does not hold any information containing the statements
included in your request. There is a significant amount of published information in the
public domain on the topic of exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF
EMF), including Wi-Fi. These documents and reports use their own words to present
the scientific evidence and draw conclusions from it. Public Health England (PHE)
provides support and specialist advice to the Department of Health on a range of
health protection matters including radiation protection. I have attached a document,
which contains a summary of PHE advice on exposure to RF EMF, and links to
where more detailed information can be found. I hope this is helpful.
If you feel that the information we have provided does not fully meet your request
please contact us at 02890 522020 in the first instance. You have the right to request
a formal review by the Department within two calendar months of the date of this
letter. If you wish to do so, please write to Mr Brendan O’Neill (foi@health-
ni.gov.uk), Annexe 3, Castle Buildings, Stormont, Belfast BT4 3SQ.
If after such an internal review you are still unhappy with the response, you have the
right to appeal to the Information Commissioner at Wycliffe House, Water Lane,
Wilmslow, CHESHIRE SK9 5AF, who will undertake an independent review.
If you have any queries about this letter, please contact me. Please remember to
quote the reference number above in any future communications.
Yours sincerely
Lynsey Lauder
Population Health Directorate