The 24th June is the international day against electromagnetic pollution. Electromagnetic pollution is a continuous exposure to electromagnetic fields generated mainly by high-voltage power lines and electric power substations, but also by mobile telephony aerials, radio links, and telecommunication systems (Wifi, Wimax).

That day several organizations of people affected, neighbourhood associations and environmentalists want to complain against the unsustainable increase of electromagnetic pollution associated with the uncontrolled proliferation of electric infrastructures and telecommunications networks, which has become an environmental and public health problem, and we advocate the need for a thorough review of the regulations that apply to this type of activities.

As for the electromagnetic pollution generated by low frequency electromagnetic fields (power lines and electric substations), neighbourhood actions against projects for the installation of a substation in both Patraix (Valencia) and Santa María de Grado (Asturias), or the struggle against power lines in Lada –Velilla (Asturias- León), or the project to develop a high-tension interconnection with France in Cataluña are examples of a deep concern about the impacts and possible public health effects of this uncontrolled and chaotic proliferation in rural and urban areas.

There are also legal actions, such as the sentence against an electric company based on the electromagnetic pollution generated by a transformer in Murcia, and the resolution of the Audiencia Provincial de Castellón that forced the dismantlement of a transformer in Burriana considering that there was reasonable and significant evidence to prove that the level of exposure in the households was a risk factor. These actions reveal a long fight against the environmental and public health impacts of a continuous exposure to low frequency electromagnetic fields, such as those generated by high or medium voltage power lines, substations, transformers and electric infrastructures.

We believe a significant change is needed in the 1997 Electric Sector Law and in the regulations that apply to high voltage power lines and electric substations as well as in the autonomous region legislation, introducing precaution criteria, security distances, land specifically reserved for these infrastructures outside residential areas and a significant reduction of the levels of exposure to electromagnetic fields.

Protests against the high frequency electromagnetic field emissions and the pulsating microwaves created by mobile telephony aerials and telecommunication systems has been continuous all over Spain, against national regulations dictated by operators. There are many international forums that warn of the possible effects and risks for the public health (Declarations of Vienna 1998, Salzburg 2000, Roccaraso 2000, Alcalá de Henares 2002, Catania 2002, Freiburg 2002, Benevento 2006). European epidemiological studies and scientific programmes such as REFLEX warn us of the changes at cellular and sub-cellular level with the subsequent negative consequences for wildlife, the environment and the health of human beings.

Therefore, it is essential to develop a programme and a public, national and independent research with epidemiological studies of the public health effects, and a thorough review of current regulations based on public involvement in the positioning of aerials and public exposure limits that prevent the diseases and cellular changes mentioned in those studies. It is also necessary to change the General Telecommunications Law and the national and autonomous region regulations with regard to the radio electric space.