Germany: German Mobile Telecommunication Research Programme (DMF)

The Deutsches Mobilfunk Forschungsprogramm (DMF) Programme was initiated by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) and the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS).

Scope

Research is focused on:

• Mechanisms of action of high frequency fields,
• Effects on animals and humans,
• Determination of the exposure,
• Risk communication.

Status

In total 54 research projects in the fields of (biology, dosimetry, epidemiology and risk communication were carried out between 2002 and 2008). A final program workshop was held in June 2008 and a final report issued.

The report concluded that despite increasing use of wireless technologies, public exposures in everyday life are generally far below the German limit values. Previous indications of possible health effects could not be replicated and no new mechanism for low-level or athermal effects was identified.

While the results significantly improved risk assessment and communication with the public, the areas of possible long-term risk among mobile phone users and possible higher exposures to children could not be completely resolved. Therefore, the recommendations to reduce exposures, especially with regard to children should still be followed.