By Yi Whan-woo
Over one out of 10 Koreans is exposed to stronger electromagnetic fields from electronic gadgets than considered safe, data showed Thursday.
Some 11.34 percent or 5.65 million out of the population of 50 million as of 2011 were exposed to electromagnetic radiation of 2 milligaus (mG) or higher per day, which can cause cancer.
The data released by independent lawmakers Sim Sang-jung and Kim Jae-nam, was compiled by the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Knowledge Economy.
The two ministries conducted the research with concern rising that a growing use of electronic and wireless devices could pose a threat to people’s health.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies electromagnetic fields as a common cause of cancer. The agency recommends a person to keep exposure levels to below 2 mG.
“Being exposed to 2mG of such energy per day is comparable to using a hairdryer for 45 minutes at one time,” the report said.
Of 5.65 million, 3.63 million of them were exposed to energy levels between 3 mG and 4 mG.
“If a person is constantly exposed to such a level of energy, the possibility of being diagnosed with leukemia can double.”
A Korean was exposed to an average 1.61 mG per day. The rate was 3.4 times higher than that of the average Briton with 0.48 mG, and also 1.3 times higher than of Americans at 1.225 mG.
Sim and Kim said that the country needs to set up a regulation to protect people from overexposure. “Our country puts priority on benefits of the firms including state-run companies over public health.”
They pointed out a case in Milyang, South Gyeongsang Province, where state-run Korea Electric Power Corporation is fighting protests over its plan to build a power line tower without considering the safety of locals. An environmental research study showed that the electromagnetic field under the tower would be 22.6 mG.
“If such tower has to be built, it has to be set up far from residential areas, schools and hospitals where a number of people are gathered,” the lawmakers said.