Good morning, everybody.
Chair, members of the committee, it's my pleasure to be here today to speak to Health Canada's position on the impact of microwaves on human health.
We've heard concerns from some communities of stakeholders about the possibility of radio frequency electromagnetic energy emissions—or microwaves—from cell towers and wireless technologies posing hazards to the health of Canadians, including children.
While the responsibility for the regulation of cell towers and wireless technologies lies with Industry Canada, Health Canada, acting within the authority of the Radiation Emitting Devices Act, has thoroughly evaluated relevant peer-reviewed scientific evidence and conducted in-house studies, which, to date, do not support the notion that microwave emissions from cell towers and wireless technologies pose hazards to the health of Canadians.
In fact, as recently as October 2009, Health Canada published a revision to Canada's guideline, called Limits of Human Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Energy, commonly known as Safety Code 6. This document sets the recommended limits for safe human exposure to electromagnetic energy from various devices, including cellphones, Wi-Fi equipment, and cellphone towers. Industry Canada has incorporated the guidance in Safety Code 6 in its regulations for these devices.
Canada's revision of Safety Code 6 followed a thorough evaluation of the scientific evidence and literature on the effects of radio frequency energy on biological systems. Health Canada reviewed scientific evidence from animal, cell culture, and epidemiological studies carried out worldwide and conducted its own studies, which are published in peer-reviewed journals. Both the quality of the individual studies and the consistency of observed effects across laboratories were key in evaluating all the study results.
On the basis of such analyses, Health Canada established limits for human exposure that are well below the threshold for any potential harm. The limits recommended for general public exposure were designed to provide protection for all age groups, including children, if exposed on a continual basis. Health Canada's determination that there are no health effects associated with radio frequency exposure at levels below the specified limit is supported by peer-reviewed scientific studies, which are verified on an ongoing basis. Our Canadian exposure limits are comparable to those in other jurisdictions, including the United States and the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection, the standard adopted by most European countries.
Furthermore, Canada's guideline development process is consistent with the guidance outlined in the World Health Organization's framework for developing health-based electromagnetic frequency standards. In other words, we also follow the process that's prescribed by the WHO.
Recently, a report cited by electromagnetic advocates, entitled the BioInitiative Report, suggests that regulatory authorities should apply precautionary approaches for sources of electromagnetic frequency exposure and apply much more stringent limits. Health Canada has concerns about this report. It does not contain any new scientific data; it excludes, in fact, numerous studies; and it contains internal consistencies. Having reviewed the report, it is the opinion of Health Canada that there are insufficient grounds to revise our views on the electromagnetic frequency health risk assessment at this time.
The precautionary approach is a public policy approach for risk management of possible, but unproven, adverse health effects. Health Canada, as with other departments and many regulatory agencies worldwide, frequently applies the precautionary principle to underpin risk-related decisions. When conducting an assessment, data available in the scientific literature are considered, including data generated by Health Canada scientists; evaluations by other jurisdictions; external panel conclusions, if they are available; as well as information submitted to the Government of Canada during the information-gathering phase of an assessment. The assessments focus on effects that scientists consider most relevant for human health.
Based on such an evaluation and Health Canada's application of the precautionary principle, the department will take action if required. But the precautionary principle is used when there is only some evidence and the evidence is not conclusive. In the case of electromagnetic frequency, Health Canada's position is that there is sufficient evidence to show that the recommended levels of exposure in Safety Code 6, the Health Canada guideline, will not cause harm to health.
In conclusion, the evidence to support a change in Health Canada's electromagnetic frequency emissions requirements has not presented itself, nor has it been demonstrated in the scientific community. Health Canada regularly works with varying degrees of evidence in applying risk-based approaches to assist with decision-making related to the promotion and protection of the health and safety of Canadians. As a department, we do not hesitate to act should the evidence or potential risks weigh in favour of a particular action.
Thank you.