Dear Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme and members of the United Nations Environment Assembly: 

We write to request that the United Nations Environment Programme address wireless radio frequency (RF) radiation and other types of non-ionizing electromagnetic fields (EMFs) considered a new form of environmental pollution. Ambient levels of EMFs are rapidly increasing due to the proliferation of wireless networks and new communication technologies in the modern world.  

Wildlife and the natural environment is at risk. A mounting body of scientific research indicates harm from exposure to EMFs, even at legally allowed levels.

• A 2021 three part review of over 1,200 studies on non-ionizing EMF impacts to flora and fauna found effects to reproduction, immune health, nesting and survivorship.

• A 2023 systematic review and metaanalysis of studies on the biological effects of wireess radiation and other EMFs to insects of found the vast majority of studies found harmful impacts with effects occurring at legally allowed exposure levels. Impacts include reduced reproductive capacity, altered behavior, oxidative stress, DNA damage, developmental effects and impaired memory. 

• Pollinators are uniquely vulnerable. State of the art exposure modeling studies of insects have found that the higher frequencies used in 5G and future networks are more intensely absorbed into insects smaller bodies.  

• Research on plants has found biochemical changes and impacts to growth from exposure. Studies on trees have found damage to canopy from exposure to high levels of cell tower/base station radiation. 

Hundreds of scientists are warning that the rapidly escalating levels of wireless and EMFs in the environment poses serious risks for animals and plants. 

However, governments have no regulations in place to protect flora and fauna. The exposure limits of the FCC and ICNIRP are human-centric and do not consider animals or plants. 

Researchers state that long-term chronic low-level EMF exposure standards need to be set for wildlife and wireless devices and infrastructure need to be redesigned to reduce rising ambient levels.

"There is enough evidence to indicate we may be damaging non-human species at ecosystem and biosphere levels across all taxa from rising background levels of anthropogenic non-ionizing electromagnetic fields (EMF) from 0 Hz to 300 GHz."

“Long-term chronic low-level EMF exposure guidelines, which do not now exist, should be set accordingly for wildlife; mitigation techniques where possible should be developed; full environmental reviews should be conducted prior to the licensing/buildout of major new technologies like 5G; and environmental laws/regulations should be strictly enforced…” 

-Low-level EMF effects on wildlife and plants: What research tells us about an ecosystem approach.

Researchers are also calling for the development of a worldwide research program along with the implementation of protective measures to mitigate risk, especially in ecologically sensitive areas.  A strategic roadmap is needed to address this critical environmental challenge. 

We request that the United Nations Environment Programme add the issue of wireless and other non-ionizing electromagnetic fields to its agenda.

1. Develop a plan of action to ensure wildlife and their habitat are adequately protected. 

2. Promote policies to mitigate escalating exposures, especially in ecologically sensitive areas. 

3. Strengthen the capacity of nations to prioritize technological developments that safeguard biodiversity and ecosystem health.

Scientific references

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