Published: 2026-05-30 | EMFSA

Radiation monitoring and preparedness is a critical focus area in global public health policy. On 23 May 2026, the Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly approved the first global resolution on radiation and health, titled Radiation and health: strengthening global protection, preparedness and response.

This landmark resolution marks the first time Member States have agreed on a comprehensive international framework addressing both ionizing and non-ionizing radiation.

The resolution highlights the importance of strengthening national systems for radiation protection, including improved exposure monitoring, workforce training, and integration of radiation risk management into broader public health and emergency preparedness frameworks. It emphasizes improving exposure monitoring as a core function of effective health protection systems.

Member States are also encouraged to ensure the safe and equitable use of radiation in medical applications, including imaging, radiotherapy, and radiopharmaceuticals. This includes strengthening regulatory oversight, quality assurance systems, and professional training.

A key priority of the resolution is addressing both ionizing and non-ionizing radiation, reflecting the full spectrum of environmental, medical, occupational, and emergency-related exposure risks.

In addition, the resolution promotes stronger public communication, international cooperation, and evidence-based policymaking to improve global preparedness and reduce radiation-related health risks.

WHO will also map global stakeholders, identify gaps in implementation, and report progress to the World Health Assembly in 2028.

Source / Attribution

Source: Adapted from World Health Organization (WHO), Radiation and health: strengthening global protection, preparedness and response, World Health Assembly Daily Update, 23 May 2026.
WHO daily update – 23 May 2026

Further reading https://www.emfsa.co.za/news/urgent-action-needed-on-radioactive-gas-levels-in-south-african-homes/

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MTN’s half-year 2025 financial report confirms ongoing cooperation and promises updates on material developments. The 2024 annual report had disclosed U.S. Anti-Terrorism Act litigation but assessed liability as “remote” with no contingent liabilities.

Analysis by the Foreign Policy Research Institute highlights potential implications for multinational companies in geopolitically complex regions.

Aviation / 5G Interference

Researchers at KAUST (Saudi Arabia) developed a new mathematical approach to protect aircraft from 5G interference. The study defines an ideal exclusion zone around runways, balancing safety with network performance. This model is expected to guide aviation regulators and telecom authorities in 5G tower deployment near airports.

Space-Based Solar Power (SBSP)

Decades of research have explored wireless solar energy from orbit. Current designs convert sunlight via photovoltaic cells in geostationary orbit into microwaves, which are transmitted to rectennas on Earth and fed into the grid. Recent studies suggest SBSP could play a key role in Europe’s clean energy transition.

5G / 6G and Human Skin

New studies examine how millimeter waves interact with skin and cells. Modeling shows human skin cannot be treated as uniform when exposed to 5G/6G millimeter waves. Short-term exposure to 5G-modulated 3.5 GHz fields does not affect oxidative stress or DNA repair in human skin cells under controlled conditions. The findings are limited to acute exposures of up to 48 hours, and longer-term studies in more realistic biological models are needed.

WHO RF-EMF Systematic Reviews – Swiss FOEN & FOPH

High reliability was observed for carcinogenicity in animal studies, but results do not directly indicate human health effects. Detailed results will be presented in the WHO report scheduled for the end of 2025. Switzerland’s federal protection framework remains in place, guided by the Environmental Protection Act and the Ordinance on Protection against Non-Ionizing Radiation, with the precautionary principle central.

Systematic Reviews & Meta-Analyses for WHO RF-EMF Assessment

A special issue of Environment International presents the culmination of four years of collaborative work by over 80 global scientific experts. It includes nine protocols and twelve systematic reviews supporting human health risk assessment of RF-EMF exposure. The editorial summarizes methodology, commissioning processes, and key findings.

Environmental 60 Hz Magnetic Fields (MFs)

A new study analyzed electric fields induced by powerline frequency (60 Hz) magnetic fields in human legs. Results underline the importance of rigorous modeling to refine exposure systems, standards, and guidelines.

Radon

Switzerland maintains one of the most detailed national radon databases worldwide, with around 300,000 indoor measurements. Other countries have similar databases, though methodologies vary.

Recent measurements in Scotland revealed elevated radon levels in nine Highland Council properties, including two schools, underscoring the importance of regular testing. South Africa currently lacks a comprehensive national radon database.

AI

Parents of a teenager who took his own life have filed a lawsuit against OpenAI. The company has announced plans to modify ChatGPT following the case, which claimed the chatbot contributed to the teen’s suicide.

In Memoriam

We are deeply saddened by the passing of George Parker, an icon in the EHS community. His contributions and legacy will be long remembered.

Read the EMFSA August 2025 Newsletter at https://mailchi.mp/emfsa/august-2025-newsletter

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EMFSA August 2025 Newsletter: Logo of EMFSA, illustrating the focus on electromagnetic field safety and awareness, combining stylized RF waves with imagery of communication towers

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Photo by redcharlie | @redcharlie1 on Unsplash

Comments submitted by EMFSA in 2022:

The bill is important to us because we are concerned about increasing pollution caused by ionizing and non ionizing radiation, as well as light pollution.

We support this very important bill, however we have some concerns and suggestions:

There is a lack of research on the effects of co- exposures of non ionizing radiation and other pollutants, for example radon, light pollution, and air pollution.

The bill should incorporate interdisciplinary science:

Electromagnetic / sub-molecular medical science treatments can be implemented in an economically affordable and sustainable manner within the Climate Change Framework.

The number of EMF and Climate Change related complaints received by various government departments has been increasing over time. In the past, these have not been handled optimally, but there is now a general consensus to strive toward cooperative solutions and synergy. One of the proposed means employed is to increase both technical and non-technical communication strategies. 

Magnetic field drop zone:

NASA has been observing an unusually large weak spot in the Earth’s magnetic field called the South Atlantic Anomaly, or SAA. Initially, over South America, it is migrating and extending over Southern Africa. Particle radiation in this SAA region can knock out onboard computers and interfere with the data collection of satellites that pass through it. Research groups must take into account current observations and model the behavior of the SAA in order to monitor and predict future changes. This will help prepare for future challenges to satellites, humans, and agriculture affected by the SAA. It is not only the magnetic field drop that is of importance but solar photon levels as well.

The bill should address the vulnerabilities of the unique diversity of the South African public – priority should be given to Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), and the role of coupled and uncoupled haplotype groups. What works in the rest of the world might not work for South Africa.

Mobile Telecommunications Industry

The bill should include and ensure that carbon emissions by the technologies (as used by the mobile telecommunications industry in South Africa) be captured, quantified and easily accessible to the public. A pathway that emissions will be reduced over a period of time should be clearly indicated.

There is concern in South Africa as in the rest of the world of the impact of 5G on climate change and it would be reassuring to know that these concerns are being addressed.

Department of energy’s role:

The bill should address concerns about renewable energy:

•Utilities SMART meters: Similar to both France and the Netherlands in SA some members of the public, and municipal pilot projects have submitted complaints about SMART meter installations. One of the main complaints surrounds RF emissions. Both in FR, and the NLs some members of the public have been granted the “old” or digital meter system over the newer SMART meters. In the SA High Court 2017, it was suggested the primary setting default to ethernet (hardwire) for utility SMART meters. This brings about advantages synergistic with other promoted services, i.e. increased data security, faster-broadband infrastructure, and reduced RF spurious emissions. However, according to USA court case reviews, there may still be an issue of voltage transients. If this is still the case it can have detrimental effects on electronics and or sensitive medical or scientific research equipment. 

•Energy transmission: Similar to Germany, with increasing electrical energy demands and services the generation and transmission of power is requiring increasing proximity between the generating source, transmission line, and the population. This is also evident with the expansion of renewable energy and the upgrading of existing infrastructure. There is general consensus that additional precautionary and safety measures are required when erecting or significantly altering low-frequency installations and direct current installations. Possibilities must be exhausted to minimize the EM and EMF generated by the respective installation using state-of-the-art processes taking into account the circumstances within the respective installers’ sphere of influence. Installations of low-frequency electricity transmission infrastructure (with a frequency of 50 Hz and a rated voltage of 220 Kilovolt and more) which are being erected in new areas are not allowed to be erected over buildings or parts of buildings intended for the long-term occupation of humans. Recent advances in technology, unified with the requirements of the state promise substantial reductions in project CAPEX and ongoing operating costs.

•Electric vehicles (EV): EVs require an expanded and accelerated rollout of necessary infrastructure. After reviewing the positive and negative concerns raised in the literature, there seems to be an emerging consensus that EVs design can be modified with minimal effort to address negative factors. In the context of the RSA, the opportunity to export EVs into the AU presents a number of economic opportunities. At the same time, it presents an opportunity to address environmental concerns related to EVs. EV’s are here to stay and the field must be addressed.

The bill should make strong provision for regulation of renewable energy products, for instance as EMFSA we encounter some products sold as having a “pure sine wave” when in our opinion, it does not. 

The bill should incorporate the effect of renewable energy products on wildlife:

•Wind power: eagles, bats etc.

•Marine life:

Powerships, gas exploration, underwater cables etc.

As well as how fishing communities will be affected.

Partially referenced from:

World Health Organization – International EMF Project – International Advisory Committee (IAC) – 25th anniversary of the International EMF Project and the 10th Optical Radiation meeting, South Africa National Report 2021 https://tinyurl.com/mtsremt4

Lech, James; Krüger, Tjaart; Boros, László; Venter, Derik; Obajuluwa, Adejoke; Abrahamse, Heidi; et al. (2022): World Health Organization – International EMF Project – International Advisory Committee (IAC) – 11th anniversary of the International Optical Radiation and 26th anniversary of EMF Project meeting, South Africa National Report 2022. 

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What is Radon and How are We Exposed to It?

https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/what-is-radon-and-how-are-we-exposed-to-it

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The National Nuclear Regulator has warned that South Africa must urgently start to monitor the levels of radioactive radon gas in local homes to protect its citizens.

Radon is a radioactive gas that forms naturally when uranium, thorium, or radium – which are radioactive metals – break down in rocks, soil, and groundwater.

In South Africa, there was previously not significant control over radioactive materials in mining waste and slime.

After a century of gold mining in South Africa, with the addition of uranium mining in recent decades, radon levels in some areas are expected to be high.

The dangers of high radon levels

When a person breathes in radon the radioactive particles from the gas can get trapped in their lungs, which increases the risk of lung cancer over time.

Read more at the source: https://mybroadband.co.za/news/science/323124-urgent-action-needed-on-radioactive-gas-levels-in-south-african-homes.html

Note by EMFSA – see:

Estimation of radon potential through measurement of uranium concentrations in granite geology

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Our September 2019 Newsletter can be viewed at: https://mailchi.mp/7fbfa35f0406/emfnews

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Jacques Bezuidenhout

Faculty of Military Science, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa

ABSTRACT

The geology of an area can be used as a predictor for radon potential. Granite rock typically contains a high concentration of uranium and subsequent elevated emanation of radon gas. The geology of the western part of the Western Cape Province in South Africa is dominated by granite bedrock but very few studies on radon have been conducted in this area. Uranium concentrations were consequently measured on a large granite hill in the Saldanha Bay area of the Western Cape and a relationship between indoor radon and uranium concentrations was used to model radon potential on the outcrop. Results from granite rich environments in India were modelled in order to extract a relationship between indoor radon concentrations, radon exhalation rates and uranium concentrations. Radon exhalation rates greater than 0.35 Bq/m²h were predicted and estimated indoor radon concentrations in excess of 400 Bq/m³ were also predicted for the hill. The modelled results were compared with indoor radon measurements taken in the town of Paarl in the Western Cape, which sits on the same granite bedrock formation. The predicted radon potential correlated well with the physical measurements.
SIGNIFICANCE:
•Extensive in-situ uranium measurements were conducted by utilising a self-developed gamma-ray detection instrument (the GISPI) by means of a unique method.

http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0038-23532019000400024&lng=en&nrm=iso&tlng=en#corresp

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