International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection

The International Commission on non- ionizing radiation protection (ICNIRP, German: International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection ) is an international independent organization of scientists to explore the effect of non- ionizing radiation on human health.

History

The ICNIRP was supported by the IRPA ( International Radiation Protection Association ) as an independent International Commission on Non- Ionizing Radiation founded in 1992. ICNIRP is not a sub-organization of another international organization or a government, but it is by World Health Organization (WHO ) and the European Union recognized. In Germany the ICNIRP is a registered charity.

Seat of ICNIRP is Oberschleißheim, but is legally independent from the Federal Office for Radiation Protection, by the ICNIRP. Chairman 1992-1996 were the Australian Michael Repacholi, 1996-2000 Jürgen Bernhardt from Erlangen, 2000-2004 Briton Alastair McKinlay, 2004-2008, the Italian Paolo Vecchia and since 2008 Rüdiger Matthes from Munich.

Work of the ICNIRP

The object of the ICNIRP is the analysis and evaluation of the state of knowledge on the health effects of electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields, optical radiation and laser. This international harmonization of standards and guidelines is sought. To this end, the ICNIRP works among others in the field of environmental electromagnetic compatibility in international EMF project with the WHO. International cooperation also exists with the International Labour Organization in the field of OSH.

Is funded by grants from the work of ICNIRP international organizations and through financial support from governments to individual projects of the ICNIRP.

For a discussion of results, the ICNIRP organizes international conferences and workshops.

Guidelines of the ICNIRP

From the work of ICNIRP limit recommendations and guidelines have been issued, of which the ICNIRP guidelines of 1998 are the most famous. These guidelines are merely recommendations. The fact recommended limits are, for example, become the basis of some EC directives on electromagnetic fields. The guidelines of the ICNIRP are based on the proven in studies effects of non-ionizing radiations. Not proven or suspected effects are not only based on the guidelines.

Selected Policies

  • Guidelines for Limiting Exposure to Time - Varying Electric, Magnetic, and Electromagnetic Fields ( up to 300 GHz). In: Health Physics 74 (4): 494-522; 1998
  • Guidance on Determining Compliance of Exposure to Pulsed Fields and Complex Non- Sinusoidal Waveforms below 100 kHz with ICNIRP guidelines. In: Health Physics 84 (3): 383-387; , 2003.

Criticism

The scientific approach of ICNIRP and its proximity to the strong industry was investigated in 1999 by the New Zealand environmental scientist Neil Cherry. He comes to the conclusion that the approach of ICNIRP, which is based only on the thermal point of view, with respect to scientific evidence and methodology of setting limit values ​​for the protection of the health of the general population is wrong.

The " International Conference on Cell Tower Siting " said June 2000: The International Conference on Cell Tower Siting made ​​it clear that the proposals by the ICNIRP for the protection of human health in terms of high-frequency electromagnetic fields on which to build the current recommendations of the WHO and the EU Council, on the one hand are not scientifically sound, and for the protection of human health can not be guaranteed.

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