Pa ystyriaeth y mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi'i rhoi i gyhoeddi canllawiau iechyd cyhoeddus i awdurdodau lleol ynghylch telathrebu 5G?
Telecommunications policy, including regulatory policy relating to the roll-out of 5G, is not devolved to the Welsh Government, with responsibility resting with the UK Government. Similarly, the roll out of 5G technology, infrastructure and services is industry-led, predominantly by the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs); the Welsh Government and Local Authorities are not responsible for the building of 5G networks.
The Welsh Government is advised by Public Health England’s Centre for Radiation, Chemicals and Environmental Hazards (PHE-CRCE) in relation to the protection of communities from radiation hazards, which includes 5G and related technologies.
The international health related guidelines from the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) are the benchmark by which health protection policies are developed at a UK and European level. The PHE-CRCE advises that all research studies to date have found the general public exposure to radio waves are well within these guidelines,
It is possible that there may be a small increase in overall exposure to radio waves when 5G is added to an existing network or in a new area; however, the overall exposure is expected to remain low relative to guidelines and as such there should be no consequences for public health. In the light of this advice, the Welsh Government has not issued any public health guidance to local authorities in relation to 5G.
PHE’s guidance on 5G technology can be seen here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/5g-technologies-radio-waves-and-health
Public Health Wales have published information about radio waves (including 5G) on their website, which can be seen here:
https://phw.nhs.wales/services-and-teams/environmental-public-health/radiation1/radio-waves/