Special Eurobarometer 347: Electromagnetic Fields

Over the last decade, not only has the issue of the potential health effects of electromagnetic fields stubbornly remained of concern to a persistent share of the public, but the explosion of mobile telephony and of other wireless technologies has increased its visibility. Remaining scientific uncertainty has provided a fertile ground for controversy and has turned this issue into an attractive field for the media. Today, concerned citizens and MEPs are still calling weekly on the Commission to answer on their worries. To address these issues, the Commission has embarked on an action plan aiming at advancing scientific understanding, building trust and developing its policy. While electromagnetic fields (EMFs) occur naturally (e.g. in storms, the Earth's magnetic field etc.), the evelopment of man-made electricity and rapid technological progress over the past century have multiplied their sources and diversified their characteristics. Exposure to man-made sources of EMFs has therefore increased dramatically due to the demand for electricity, wireless technologies (especially for telecommunications), and changes in work practices and social behaviour. As a result, all EU citizens are now exposed to EMFs through sources such as high-voltage power lines, household electrical appliances, computers, radar, radio and television broadcast facilities and mobile telephones. This report presents the results of the survey in five main sections: • Environmental factors and health • Electromagnetic fields: awareness and concerns about potential health risks • Satisfaction with information on potential health risks of electromagnetic fields • Ways of being informed • The role of public authorities and of the EU The final section looks at whether the public believes that public authorities act effectively in protecting citizens from potential health risks related to electromagnetic fields and asks what role they would like the EU to take to support national authorities. #####The results by volumes are distributed as follows: * Volume A: Countries * Volume AA: Groups of countries * Volume A' (AP): Trends * Volume AA' (AAP): Trends of groups of countries * Volume B: EU/socio-demographics * Volume B' (BP) : Trends of EU/ socio-demographics * Volume C: Country/socio-demographics ---- Researchers may also contact GESIS - Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences: [https://www.gesis.org/eurobarometer](https://www.gesis.org/eurobarometer)