Electrosmog occurs in the context of the height of the information society, characterized by an increasingly interconnected population. Billions of mobile internet users exchange huge amounts of data every day, generating a dramatic increase in the amount of electromagnetic waves compared to the early 20th century, particularly in OECD cities where broadband coverage is greater.
In physics, electrosmog is pollution caused by non-ionizing electromagnetic waves . Waves are divided into categories based on their spectra, and non-ionizing radiation does not appear to be capable of generating the phenomenon of ionization in matter. In simpler terms, non-ionizing electromagnetic waves include radiation that does not cause direct damage to cells, but causes thermal, mechanical, and bioelectrical changes. Exposure to electromagnetic fields emitted by cell phones, tablets, smartphones, computers, and WiFi antennas is growing and appears to be highly harmful to humans.
More than half the world's population uses digital devices to: search for information through search engines; maintain their online reputation and look for jobs; make online purchases and/or sales; make video calls using Voice over IP technology; chat using instant messaging software; study on specialized websites; publish blog articles; send emails with any type of file attachment; share photos and videos via dozens of social media platforms, etc. The numbers related to these activities are staggering: as of August 2013, the entire Internet transmits 1.826 petabytes (1 petabyte = 1015 bytes) of data every day. This phenomenon significantly increases exposure to electromagnetic waves, the intensity of which is exponentially greater in crowded places due to a synergistic effect resulting from a multitude of irradiating sources (imagine a train with hundreds of passengers: the waves bounce around the cabin, simultaneously passing through all the organisms).
The most authoritative institution conducting research into the harmful effects of radiation exposure on the human body is the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection ( ICNIRP ), a non-governmental organization based in Germany and recognized by the World Health Organization. ICNIRP is composed of independent scientific experts in epidemiology, biology, dosimetry, and optical radiation. This organization provides guidelines, or recommendations to national governments for the adoption of exposure limits to protect citizens, based strictly on scientific data. ICNIRP recommendations are systematically converted into national regulations in all countries. In fact, since 1999, the European Union has adopted a common framework of standards for the protection of citizens, based precisely on ICNIRP guidelines.
In recent decades, the international scientific community has produced safety standards regarding exposure limits to electromagnetic fields. In Italy, regarding the frequency spectrum, Interministerial Decree No. 381 of 10 September 1998 set (and is still in force) limits for the population's exposure to electromagnetic fields generated by antennas and repeaters for mobile telephony and television broadcasting, in the frequency range between 100 kHz and 300 GHz. Regarding electromagnetic field concentration, the limit was (and still is) 20 V/m (or 1 W/m2), compared to the 42 V/m (4,65 W/m2) established by the then European Community. Where people remain continuously for more than four hours, the limit is 6 V/m (0,1 W/m2), for example, in buildings in general.
More and more scholars are seeking to raise public awareness of the issue of electrosmog, calling for more stringent regulations to prevent health risks. In recent months, dozens of doctors, physicists, biologists, researchers, and numerous associations have signed a petition calling for changes to the limits for electromagnetic fields currently in force in Italy. They have written directly to the government, launching an appeal aimed at raising public awareness of these issues. The concern stems from the Council of Ministers' intention to approve two measures, the " Ultra-Broadband Strategy " and " Digital Growth ," which will soon propose raising electromagnetic limits with the aim of increasing Wi-Fi access in public places, particularly schools, hospitals, and offices.
The signatories of the appeal call for a reduction in the regulation, reducing the measurement of electromagnetic fields from a 24-hour average to a more reasonable 6-minute average. Furthermore, they would like to ban the installation of Wi-Fi networks in kindergartens and schools attended by children under 16. Finally, they emphasize the need to consider only independent scientific studies, excluding those funded by the telecommunications industry. The current Italian limit is 6 volts per meter in places where people spend more than 4 hours. Until 2003, the measurement was calculated over a 6-minute average, which was sufficient time to obtain thermal effects from electromagnetic fields. In 2012, Monti, in his Development Decree, increased the limit to 24 hours without considering the possible carcinogenic effects of electromagnetic waves.
Ermanno Starita
