About this cluster
The Cluster on Electromagnetic fields Exposure and Health (also known as CLUE-H) was launched in 2022 (with €29 million in EU funding) and is composed of 4 projects selected under call HORIZON-HLTH-2021-ENVHLTH-02-01 of Horizon Europe:
The cluster is expected to continue its activities until 2026 and will deliver results that will contribute to evidence-based policies on radiofrequency electromagnetic fields.
Background
Radio waves and microwaves are examples of electromagnetic waves which form electromagnetic fields (EMFs) in our natural environment. The way in which these EMFs affect human health is still unclear.
The EU believes this is an important aspect to investigate in order to ensure public safety, especially as more advanced technologies become progressively deployed.
In the Council Recommendation (1999/519/EC), the EU set limits on the amount of electromagnetic radiation from wireless communication devices that the public may be exposed to, in accordance with guidelines from the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP).
Directive 2013/59/Euratom - protection against ionising radiation, adopted by the European Commission in 2013, sets the basic safety standards for protection against the dangers arising from exposure to ionising radiation, including exposures in at-risk workplaces.
The EU has, in the past, supported research in the field of radiation and its effects on health. Radiation and health projects have been funded under the Sixth and Seventh Framework Programmes (FP6 and FP7), Horizon 2020, Euratom and now (with CLUE-H) via Horizon Europe.
Which main EU priorities does this cluster contribute to?
- Public Health
- Directive on protection against ionising radiation
- Council Recommendation (1999/519/EC) annexes and of the annexes of Directive 2013/35/EU
- Occupational Health and Safety