Public Accountability Unit
Tel: 020 8327 6920
Wellington House
133-155 Waterloo Road
www.gov.uk/phe
London SE1 8UG
By email
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx Our ref: 15/10/fb/700
8 November 2018
Dear J. Mwanzia
Re: Health implications of 5G technology
Thank you for your request dated 15 October 2018 addressed to Public Health
England (PHE). In accordance with Section 1(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information
Act 2000 (the Act) I can confirm that PHE holds some of the information you have
specified.
I have answered the questions in the order it has been raised:
The proposed rollout of 5G trials in this country was announced in March 2018. The
trial does not seem to include any mention of monitoring of potential health impact on
humans, plants and animals. https://5g.co.uk/news/5g-uk-trial-testing-ground/4302/
Scientists and doctors called on the EU for a moratorium on 5G citing the lack of
independent studies on health and environmental effects.
http://www.5gappeal.eu/scientists-and-doctors-warn-of-potential-serious-health-
effects-of-5g/
Bearing these in mind, could you please provide answers to the following questions:
1)
What are the current exposure limit values for EMF, radio frequencies and mm
wave frequencies?
Please see below links:
• The ICNIRP guidelines, which cover frequencies up to 300 GHz, as here:
www.icnirp.org
• Government position on EMF exposure guidelines for the general public:
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20090430163222/http://www.dh.gov
.uk/en/Publichealth/Healthprotection/DH_4089500
• The HSE website with respect to the health and safety responsibilities of
mobile communications network operators:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/radiation/nonionising/
• Industry’s voluntary commitment to comply with ICNIRP guidelines and
provide compliance certificates with planning applications
http://www.mobileuk.org/cms-assets/documents/259876-147086.code-of-
best-practice-2016-edition-pub
• Ofcom’s webpage about exposure measurements around base stations
https://www.ofcom.org.uk/spectrum/information/mobile-operational-enquiries
2)
What monitoring is currently taking place to ensure that these levels are not
exceeded in individuals and in public places?
Please see below links:
The ICNIRP guidelines, which cover frequencies up to 300 GHz, as here:
www.icnirp.org
Government position on EMF exposure guidelines for the general public:
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20090430163222/http://www.dh.go
v.uk/en/Publichealth/Healthprotection/DH_4089500
The HSE website with respect to the health and safety responsibilities of
mobile communications network operators:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/radiation/nonionising/
Industry’s voluntary commitment to comply with ICNIRP guidelines and
provide compliance certificates with planning applications
http://www.mobileuk.org/cms-assets/documents/259876-147086.code-of-
best-practice-2016-edition-pub
Ofcom’s webpage about exposure measurements around base stations
https://www.ofcom.org.uk/spectrum/information/mobile-operational-enquiries
3)
What is the independent research that indicates these levels are set at a safe
level?
Please see the formal evidence reviews mentioned in the attached PHE RF
advice summary document, the reference lists those reviews contain and
literature databases at
: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/ and
www.emf-portal.de.
4)
Have these studies used the mixture of EMFs to which we are now all exposed?
Please see the formal evidence reviews mentioned in the attached PHE RF
advice summary document, the reference lists those reviews contain and
literature databases at:
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/ and
www.emf-portal.de.
5)
What independent studies on 5G have been considered before the test areas are
exposed?
Please see the formal evidence reviews mentioned in the attached PHE RF
advice summary document, the reference lists those reviews contain and
literature databases at:
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/ and
www.emf-portal.de.
6)
Will the national rollout happen without safety monitoring at the trial sites?
Please see Q)2
7)
If this becomes government mandated exposure, what can citizens do to access
funding from the government to screen their houses if they do not want this
exposure?
PHE does not hold this information.
8)
5G exposure will be added to existing rising exposure to EMF and radio
frequencies. What research has been done to ascertain whether this extra
exposure will have additive or synergistic effects on biological systems?
Please see the formal evidence reviews mentioned in the attached PHE RF
advice summary document, the reference lists those reviews contain and
literature databases at:
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/ and
www.emf-portal.de.
9)
What is being done to ensure there are zones free of wifi and 5G, where
exposure is not allowed?
PHE does not hold this information.
10)
What is being done to ensure that those responsible for the technology pay for
the damage done by it? This could break the NHS and have long term
environmental consequences
PHE does not hold this information.
If you have any queries regarding the information that has been supplied to you,
please refer your query to in writing in the first instance. If you remain dissatisfied
and would like to request an internal review, then please contact us at the address
above or by emailing
xxx@xxx.xxx.xx
Please note that you have the right to an independent review by the Information
Commissioner’s Office if a complaint cannot be resolved through the PHE
complaints procedure. The Information Commissioner’s Office can be contacted by
writing to Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow,
Cheshire SK9 5AF.
Yours sincerely
Freedom of Information team
