German and Luxemburg Environmental Organizations Release Report on the Impact of Wireless Communications to Insects
Analysis of 72 of 83 peer reviewed published studies found effects. Report highlights possible negative influence on orientation, reproduction and foraging.
“Biological effects of electromagnetic fields on insects”, Alain Thill, published in umwelt-medizin-gesellschaft 3/2020
The Luxembourg and German environmental organizations AKUT, NABU Baden-Württemberg and environmental and consumer organization diagnose:funk released a report on the impacts to insects from wireless and non ionizing electromagnetic radiation. They found that 72 of 83 peer reviewed published studies found effects. A current survey of the “biological effects of electromagnetic fields on insects” by high voltage, mobile communications and WLAN comes to the conclusion that, in addition to pesticides and the loss of habitats, mobile communications radiation also has negative effects on insects and is therefore another factor in weakening the insect world . The analysis was carried out by the biologist and environmental scientist Alain Thill on behalf of the three environmental and consumer organization.
From the Abstract: “Worldwide, the number of insects is decreasing at an alarming rate. It is known that among other causes, the use of pesticides and modern agricultural practices play a particularly important role. This systematic review evaluates the state of knowledge regarding the toxic effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF) on insects … 72 of 83 analyzed studies found an effect. Negative effects that were described in studies include: disturbance of the sense of orientation, reduced reproductive ability and fertility, lethargy, changes in flight dynamics, failure to find food, reduced reaction speeds, escape behavior, disturbance of the circadian rhythm, blocking of the respiratory chain and damage to the mitochondria, misactivation of the immune system, increased number of DNA strand breaks. The results show that EMF could have a serious impact on the vitality of insect populations. In some experiments it was found that despite low levels of exposure to transmitters, harmful effects occurred after several months. Field strengths 100 times below the ICNIRP limits could already have effects. When planning the expansion of mobile networks, insect habitats should be protected from high-intensity EMF exposure already now.”
More about the Review and download:
https://www.diagnose-funk.org/publikationen/artikel/detail&newsid=1607
There was immediately a statement from the German Federal Office for Radiation Protection and the German and Austrian Mobil Phone Manufacterers, that this study does not correspond to the state of the art. In one diagnose:funk “Brennpunkt” (Focus) we defended the study and proved that the Federal Office falsifies the study situation. The Brennpunkt is available in German only, download:
https://www.diagnose-funk.org/publikationen/artikel/detail&newsid=1631