EM Radiation Research Trust (RRT) calls for health-protective planning rules as UK wireless infrastructure expands
Date: 26 February 2026
The EM Radiation Research Trust (RRT) has formally submitted evidence in response to the Government’s Call for Evidence on Reforming Planning Rules for Digital Infrastructure. Confirmation of receipt has been received.
Our submission outlines serious concerns regarding the rapid expansion of wireless infrastructure in the United Kingdom and the potential health and safety risks associated with this growth. Key points from the submission include:
Chronic Exposure Risks
Current guidelines issued by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) address only short-term, acute effects and do not account for long-term, low-level exposure, which is rising year-on-year. Independent research shows biological effects at levels far below ICNIRP limits.
Vulnerable Populations
Certain groups may be more sensitive to chronic RF exposure, including:
♦ Children
♦ Pregnant women
♦ Older adults
♦ Individuals with Active Implantable Medical Devices (AIMDs)
♦ People reporting electrosensitivity
Evidence from schools, including Millstead Primary School, raises concerns that high-intensity exposures could potentially affect health and wellbeing.
International Comparisons
The United Kingdom continues to follow ICNIRP-based guidelines, which are significantly higher than precautionary standards adopted in countries such as Switzerland, Italy, Russia, China, and the Brussels Capital Region.
Planning and Compliance Concerns
Current planning policies require operator-submitted ICNIRP compliance certificates. These certificates are often self-certified and no comprehensive, independent, regulator-required measurement checks are carried out. Cumulative or aggregate exposures are not assessed, particularly near schools, homes, hospitals, and care facilities.
Precautionary Measures Recommended
We urge the Government to consider precautionary and health-protective planning policies, including:
♦ Enforceable planning protections and meaningful exclusion zones around homes and schools
♦ Adoption of EUROPAEM precautionary exposure guidelines for general environmental levels
♦ Independent investigations into high-intensity exposures at schools
♦ Promotion of wired (Ethernet) connectivity in schools and public buildings to minimise unnecessary RF exposure
Cumulative Exposure and Emerging Sources
Current planning policy does not require assessment of cumulative exposure, particularly in dense urban areas or near sensitive sites. Emerging sources, such as electric vehicles, 5G and 6G systems, and industrial Wi-Fi, may contribute to additional exposure. Peer-reviewed literature also highlights potential impacts on wildlife orientation and ecological systems.
Wi-Fi in Schools
While access to computer technology and internet connectivity is important, high-powered Wi-Fi Access Points in classrooms are not necessary. Research shows that power signals can often be reduced to less than 20 percent of their default maximum setting without affecting connectivity. Children have thinner skulls, higher water content, and developing nervous systems, which can result in higher absorption of RF energy than adults.
Public Health Risks
Combined exposures from wireless infrastructure may have a profound effect on public health. Vulnerable populations, including children, pregnant women, older adults, individuals with medical implants, and people reporting electrosensitivity, may be particularly affected. The potential risks include neurological impairment, reproductive harm, cancer, immune dysfunction, and other chronic conditions.
Call for Action
The RRT calls on the Government to:
♦ Reaffirm and implement the Stewart Report recommendation that the main beam of greatest RF intensity must not fall on school buildings or grounds without explicit agreement from parents and schools
♦ Introduce enforceable planning protections and meaningful exclusion zones around homes and schools
♦ Commission a fully independent investigation into high-intensity exposures recorded at schools
♦ Review UK exposure limits in light of international precautionary standards
♦ Promote wired (Ethernet) connectivity wherever possible to reduce unnecessary exposure for children and staff
Download Our Submission
The EM Radiation Research Trust has submitted detailed evidence to the Government’s Call for Evidence on Reforming Planning Rules for Digital Infrastructure. You can read the full letter here:
References
♦ IARC, Non-Ionizing Radiation. https://www.iarc.who.int/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/pr208_E.pdf
♦ EUROPAEM EMF Guidelines 2016. Rev Environ Health 2016; 31(3): 363–397. PMID: 27454111, DOI: 10.1515/reveh-2016-0011 https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/reveh-2016-0011/html
♦ Melnick et al., Environ Health, 2025; 24(1):70. doi: 10.1186/s12940-025-01220-4 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12940-025-01220-4
♦ James Lin, IEEE Microwave Magazine, March 2026. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/11372512
♦ BioInitiative Report 2012. https://bioinitiative.org/
♦ Bamberg GP Study, 2007. https://www.powerwatch.org.uk/news/20050722_bamberg.asp
♦ Sousouri et al., NeuroImage, 2025; vol.317. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2025.121340
♦ Radiation Research Trust. Millstead Primary School Report. https://radiationresearch.org/response-to-uk-health-security-agency-from-the-em-radiation-research-trust-calling-for-a-full-investigation-into-the-phone-mast-near-millstead-school-following-the-deaths-of-the-two-children/
♦ Stewart Report 2000, Paragraph 1.42. https://www.geocities.ws/ResearchTriangle/9884/stewartsummary.htm
♦ International RF Exposure Standards and Comparisons. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0013935124000288
♦ BfS Seibersdorf Report. https://microwavenews.com/news-center/wakeup-call-ev-industry
♦ Children’s Vulnerability Report. https://radiationresearch.org/up-to-10x-more-radiation-are-our-children-the-unseen-victims-of-wireless-technology/