4. High-voltage power lines: what are the health risks?
Populations are exposed to many sources of low-frequency electromagnetic fields, including power lines, transformers and modes of transport outdoors, or electrical appliances inside the home.
The home is the source of the highest levels of magnetic fields, produced by domestic appliances, but the associated exposure is usually very brief and localised. Outside the home, the highest electromagnetic field values are measured primarily under very-high-voltage power lines or next to transformers and electricity substations. Some industrial activities may also generate much higher exposure to low-frequency magnetic fields.
ANSES has not found any causal link between exposure to low-frequency electromagnetic fields in the everyday environment and health effects. However, there are still questions about the possible long-term effect of exposure to sources of these fields – such as very high-voltage power lines – on the occurrence of childhood leukaemia or the onset of neurodegenerative diseases. Nevertheless, no biological mechanism to explain the epidemiological observations has yet been identified.
5. What is electromagnetic hypersensitivity?
For several decades, the scientific literature has been reporting cases of people claiming to suffer from various symptoms that they attribute to their exposure to electromagnetic fields emitted by household appliances, electrical installations or mobile technologies. This is what is known as electromagnetic hypersensitivity.
Current scientific knowledge shows no cause-and-effect relationship between the symptoms of people declaring themselves as electrohypersensitive (EHS) and their exposure to electromagnetic waves. However, in an expert appraisal on this specific topic, the Agency stressed that the pain and suffering (headaches, sleep, attention and memory disorders, social isolation, etc.) expressed by the people declaring themselves as EHS is a reality, requiring them to adapt their daily lives to cope with it. The Agency recommended pursuing research work, in particular by setting up studies whose experimental conditions take into account the circ*mstances of people declaring themselves as EHS.
6. Are there any risks to livestock animals?
The Agency's expert appraisal published in 2015 on the consequences of exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields on farm animal health stressed that it is still difficult to give an opinion on this subject.
In 2021, the Agency also issued an opinion on disorders on two cattle farms located near a wind farm, a facility connected to the electricity grid and a source of electromagnetic fields. It concluded that the problems encountered – reduced milk yield and quality, behavioural problems, increased mortality – were most likely unrelated to the presence of the wind turbines.
7. How are electromagnetic waves regulated?
In France, as in most European countries, regulatory limit values for exposure of the general population to electromagnetic fields have been set in accordance with the European Union's 1999 recommendations (Recommendation 1999/519/EC). These limit values are intended to protect people and the environment from the harmful effects of electromagnetic fields.
Exposure of the public to radiofrequencies emitted by equipment used in telecommunications networks or by radio installations is thus specifically regulated (Decree No. 2002-775 of 3 May 2002). It is monitored by the French Frequency Agency (ANFR). The checks carried out each year show that environmental exposure to radio waves is well below the regulatory limits. Of the 4700 measurements carried out in 2020, almost 80% showed exposure of less than 1 volt per metre (V/m), whereas the regulatory limit values are between 28 and 87 V/m depending on the frequency. All these measures are made public.
The ANFR also carries out numerous checks on the SAR of mobile phones and, if the limit values are exceeded, it proposes that the terminals in question be updated or even withdrawn from the market.
