Germany: Requires mobile phone radiation levels to be indicated

JasonYoo

Germany: Requires mobile phone radiation levels to be indicated [Copy link]

As mobile phones become more and more popular, a question that becomes increasingly unclear is: Does mobile phone radiation have any effect on the human body?
On May 9, 2005, one of the largest scientific research institutions in Europe, the German Jülich Research Center, issued a brief press release. Although the press release was brief, it clearly stated the following research conclusion: No definite evidence was found that mobile phone radiation was harmful to health.
The press release stated that 25 top scientists from Germany and Switzerland had analyzed the effects of mobile radio radiation on health from 2000 to 2004 since September 2003. The scientists' research covered many of the most concerned areas, such as cancer, genetic influence, central nervous system, and blood and brain circulation. The results did not find definite evidence that mobile phone radiation was harmful to health. However, despite this, the press release did not conclude that it was "harmless", but added statements such as "research in this area still needs to be strengthened" and "although almost no harm was observed in the experiment, it is still impossible to draw a definite conclusion that it was harmless", making the entire report as rigorous and leak-proof as the traditional German style.
The scientists' cautious approach seems to reflect from one side the extent to which the topic of "cell phone radiation affects health" is controversial.
In fact, two years before this report was released, the head of the German Electromagnetic Environmental Impact Research Center had expressed a similar view, saying that "cell phone and base station radiation has little impact on health." The head said that when a base station antenna is installed on the roof of a house, some people will suddenly feel a headache or even have trouble sleeping, but in fact the antenna may not be activated at all. The head believes that research so far has shown that the impact of mobile phone radiation on the human body is far less than the negative impact of psychological effects on the human body. However, he emphasized that it has been discovered and confirmed that mobile phones may interfere with the work of pacemakers, and in severe cases may cause the death of pacemaker users.
Although the doubts have not been answered, the German government has still solemnly taken some measures and began to clarify the respective rights and responsibilities of mobile phone manufacturers and mobile phone users in advance. In July 2001, the German Ministry of Environment stated that the German government will strengthen the management of radiation generated by mobile communications and require that mobile phone manufacturers must accurately indicate the radiation level in the mobile phone manual starting from the autumn of that year.
The German government's move quickly received feedback. At the end of the same year, six German mobile communication operators voluntarily submitted a document to the federal government, promising to take extensive measures to prevent the harm that mobile phone radiation may cause to users, and to invest in research on mobile phone electromagnetic radiation issues. Mobile communication operators said that they would take the initiative to assume the following obligations: improve the labeling of mobile phone radiation information, and specially label low-radiation mobile phones; participate in urban planning, consider the location of installing mobile communication transmitters in advance, and avoid installing related equipment near schools and kindergartens; strictly follow the current radiation protection standards, establish a special network to strengthen detection and improve the detection procedures, etc.
A careful look at the above measures of the German government and businesses shows that there are many things worth learning from: first, the government requires labeling of the radiation level of mobile phones, which enables consumers to have a fully informed choice, and consumers' informed choice will force manufacturers to focus on developing new products with lower radiation; second, the manufacturer's commitment specifically mentions "participating in urban planning, considering the location of installing mobile communication transmitters in advance, and avoiding installing related equipment near schools and kindergartens", which gives an answer that seems to be acceptable to most people for an unknown question, and fully takes into account all aspects.
In fact, when it comes to the issue of mobile phone radiation, humans have demonstrated their rationality: they have neither thrown the baby out with the bathwater because of possible hazards, nor have they simply ignored it. Instead, they have paid appropriate attention to it in all aspects, including research and development, use, and management.