Electrosmog: the current state of affairs

The influence of electricity and transmitters on our health

The term ‘electrosmog’ is being used more and more often. Questions have been raised as to whether this phenomenon is the cause of certain diseases and perhaps even some types of cancer. Should we be concerned? Are there ways to reduce the influence of electrosmog? And what exactly is electrosmog?

The possible effects of electromagnetic fields on our health are currently the subject of a very lively debate. Not only in the media, but also among responsible scientific and government bodies. For example, the Flemish government, acting on the principle that prevention is better than cure (see below), recently took the precaution of distributing a folder aimed at reducing mobile phone use by children. In Germany, the Ministry for the Environment has warned against the harmful effects of using Wi-Fi. Some people prefer to banish all electronic equipment from their lives, while others think that the situation is not all that serious. The debate seems far from over.

This briefing paper attempts to provide candid and unbiased answers and sketch the current state of knowledge. Legislation and possible preventive measures are also discussed.