A new law to protect workers against the dangers of exposure to electromagnetic fields is working its way through the European parliamentary system. This environmental danger has been controversial, and many groups and individuals warning against it have been dismissed and subjected to ridicule in the past.
The workers most affected are people working long hours near TV and radio broadcasting equipment, radar equipment and mobile phone masts, and even cash desk operators exposed for lengthy periods to the anti-theft devices used in shops, the law states.
Exposure to electromagnetic fields can cause shocks, burns and absorption of thermal energy, the Parliament acknowledged, saying that people working in heavy industries such as steel and other metal industries are also at risk.
Late last month, the European Parliament approved a report that is acceptable to the Council of Ministers with only five amendments. By approving the report, the Parliament signaled that the law can be adopted swiftly once the Council signs off on it.
The law sets maximum values for exposure to electromagnetic fields to protect the health of workers against all known short-term harmful effects.
It also establishes reference values above which employers must take preventive measures, and includes provisions to ensure that workers are given information and training.
Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) want stricter medical surveillance measures to be introduced for these at-risk workers. They say that where there is reason to believe that a worker's exposure has exceeded the limit values, the worker must have the right to a medical examination. This is important because internal lesions resulting from overexposure of which the worker is not aware can only be detected by a health professional.
The law also requires the European Commission to inform Parliament every five years of any steps needed in the light of new scientific knowledge, particularly in connection with exposure to static magnetic fields, for which the directive lays down no exposure limits.
The EU member states will have four years to enact it in their national laws. On May 1, 10 new countries from eastern and northern Europe will join the current 15 member states. MEPs are calling for all 25 member states to provide for penalties if their laws governing exposure to electromagnetic fields are broken.