Health Canada’s mandate regarding human exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic energy from wireless devices is to carry out research into possible health effects, monitor the scientific literature related to such effects, and develop exposure guidelines. The current version of these exposure guidelines is specified in a document entitled: Limits of Human Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Energy in the Frequency Range from 3 kHz to 300 GHz – Safety Code 6 (2015). This code is accompanied by the Technical Guide for Interpretation and Compliance Assessment of Health Canada’s Radiofrequency Exposure Guidelines, to assist users in understanding and assessing the safety of electromagnetic exposures in working and living environments.
Safety Code 6 (2015)
The exposure limits in Safety Code 6 are based on an ongoing review of published scientific studies, including both internal and external authoritative reviews of the scientific literature, as well as Health Canada’s own research. The code is periodically revised to reflect new knowledge in the scientific literature. The current version of Safety Code 6 reflects the scientific literature published up to August 2014 and replaces the previous version published in 2009.
Safety Code 6 – Limits of Human Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Energy in the Frequency Range from 3 kHz to 300 GHz (2015): http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/consult/_2014/safety_code_6-code_securite_6/final_finale-eng.php
Health Canada reminds all Canadians that their health is protected from radiofrequency fields by the human exposure limits recommended in Safety Code 6. Health Canada has established and maintains a general public exposure limit that incorporates a wide safety margin and is therefore far below the threshold for potentially adverse health effects. The Department continues to monitor and analyze scientific research on this issue and should new scientific evidence arise demonstrating that exposure to radiofrequency fields poses a health risk to Canadians, Health Canada will take the appropriate action to safeguard the health of Canadians.
Safety Code 6 – Royal Society of Canada Review and 2014 Public Consultation
To ensure that it continues to provide protection against all known adverse human health effects of radiofrequency fields, Safety Code 6 is reviewed on a regular basis. In 2013, Health Canada contracted the Royal Society of Canada (RSC) to ensure that the results of emerging research related to the safety of radiofrequency energy were reflected in the review of Safety Code 6. A link to the report of the Expert Panel of the RSC, as well as Health Canada’s statement in response to the Panel’s recommendations, are provided below.
Between May 16 and July 15, 2014, Health Canada undertook a 60-day public consultation period on proposed revisions to Safety Code 6. Further information on the consultation, as well as a Summary of Consultation Feedback, are provided below.
Health Canada Consultation on the Proposed Changes to Safety Code 6: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/consult/_2014/safety_code_6-code_securite_6/index-eng.php
Summary of Consultation Feedback: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/consult/_2014/safety_code_6-code_securite_6/feedback_commentaires-eng.php
Understanding Safety Code 6: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/pubs/radiation/radio_guide-lignes_direct/safety_code_6-code_securite_6-eng.php
Facts on the protection provided by the guidelines in Safety Code 6: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/ftr-ati/_2014/2014-023fs-eng.php
Health Canada Statement Regarding the Royal Society of Canada’s Expert Panel Report on the Proposed Update to Safety Code 6: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/ftr-ati/_2014/2014-035-eng.php