Do the electric vehicles sold in Israel cause cancer?

Does the level of radiation in hybrid and electric vehicles in Israel endanger the public? According to measurements carried out in the laboratory of the SafeFields company by a certified senior surveyor of the Ministry of Environmental Protection, as well as according to a study German conducted in accordance with an international standard published in 2022, it seems that in some models there are high levels of radiation compared to the normal daily average threshold (4 milligauss).

This threshold was determined by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and the Ministry of Health, in view of the international bodies’ position that prolonged exposure to these types of radiation may increase the risk of cancer.

In a meta-analysis study conducted by an international group of researchers led by the National Institute of Environmental Medicine of the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, published in the scientific journal British Journal of Cancer, it was noted that among the group of children who were exposed to a level of 4 milligauss or higher of magnetic fields, the rate of leukemia was approximately twice as compared to the group of children who were exposed to lower levels. According to the researchers, it is unlikely that the clear result is due to chance.

Tests done in Israel and around the world show that electric and hybrid vehicles emit low frequency magnetic fields, similar to those of high voltage lines. Experts from SafeFields, a company specializing in electromagnetic radiation in vehicles, point out that in measurements carried out in various vehicles, radiation levels of tens and even hundreds of milligauss mG were found, during acceleration or braking, while the recommended threshold in Israel for chronic exposure to this type of radiation, according to the Ministry of Environmental Protection and the Israeli Ministry of Health, is only 4 milligauss.

By the way, like Israel, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, France, Austria, Norway and Finland have adopted threshold values ​​for protection against chronic exposure. China, the largest automotive power in the world, has begun rating vehicles according to an EMF Pollution index, and presenting radiation scores to the consumer. Experts with whom we spoke, clarify that the goal, in this case, is not to take vehicles off the road, but to create transparency for the consumers of the vehicles, and to encourage the car manufacturers to reduce the radiation. According to them, transparency will make manufacturers invest more in safe design. According to them, this trend is expected to spread to Korea and later to Europe, where large-scale studies on the subject are already underway.

 

In some models, higher radiation levels were found compared to normal vehicles, and in situations of prolonged exposure they may reach levels that cause concern

Prof. Stilian Gelberg, MM Deputy Director of Policy and Strategy Planning at the Ministry of Environmental Protection

Prof. Stilian Gelberg, Deputy Director of Policy and Strategy Planning at the Ministry of Environmental Protection, says that the car manufacturers in Israel are aware of the problem, and some of them are even preparing to be ready for the moment when regulation will apply to the field. Use of vehicles with high levels of radiation.”

He explains that electromagnetic radiation is present in both electric and hybrid vehicles, and the longer a person stays in a vehicle – the greater the exposure. According to him, “Measurements carried out over the years indicated that in some models higher radiation levels were found compared to normal vehicles, and in situations of prolonged exposure they may reach levels that cause concern.” Therefore, he says that it is important to have complete transparency and publish the radiation data to the public, so that every consumer can make an informed decision and choose the right vehicle for him based on available and clear information.

“We have radiation measurements of all kinds of cars. Also measurements that are not just ours. There are also measurements by the Germans, the Swiss and voluntary measurements,” he says and warns: “The risk of the radiation level depends on the time you are in the car. In view of the state of the roads today, when people spend a lot of time in the car, it can certainly reach dangerous levels.”

Prof. Gelberg also points out that “measurements carried out by bodies abroad in accordance with an international standard published only in 2022, show that in some vehicles there are high levels of radiation compared to the daily average threshold. This threshold is set by the Ministry of Environmental Protection, together with the Ministry of Health, and it takes into account the position of international bodies which holds that these types of radiation are a possible carcinogen.”

The Ministry of Environmental Protection emphasizes that, unlike exposure to the electrical grid, for example, exposure to magnetic fields inside the vehicle is a voluntary and time-limited exposure, similar to a cell phone and household appliances. Therefore, they claim, “the ministry does not regulate the use of vehicles through permits under the Non-Ionizing Radiation Law (2006)”.

They note that “the ministry continues to support the transition to vehicles with reduced emissions – primarily electric vehicles, due to their significant contribution to reducing air pollution and protecting public health and the environment, including the health of the vehicle users themselves.” However, they clarify that “the ministry sees great importance in making data and reliable information available to all citizens, in order to enable an informed and greener decision to be made, and the purchase of a vehicle that is both safe for the environment and meets the recommended radiation threshold. It is important to emphasize that there is a difference between the types of vehicles sold and therefore the responsibility for inspection, in this case, rests with the consumer.” They emphasize that 4 milligauss is a threshold for a daily average. The momentary threshold for exposure is 1000 milligauss.

in the carTiggo8pro of the manufacturer Chery (Plug in Hybrid) Radiation levels of 249 milligauss were found in the back floor on the left side; in the carEHS of the manufacturer MG (Plug In Hybrid) Radiation levels of 124 milligauss were found in the left rear floor; in the carIoniq 4 of the manufacturer Hyundai (hybrid) radiation levels of 112 milligauss were found in the back seat – left side.

in the carniro gen2 and in the carNiro plus gen1 (plug-in hybrid) of the manufacturer KIA Radiation levels of 71.5 milligauss were found in the back seat on the right side.

in research which was recently carried out in Germany by theBFS The federal body responsible for radiation in the country found high levels of radiation: in the carTaycan of the manufacturer Porsche Radiation levels of 105 milligauss are found. in the carGLE 350 PHEV of the manufacturer Mercedes Radiation levels of 100 milligauss are found; in the carID.3 of the manufacturer Volkswagen Radiation levels of 90 milligauss are found; The Fiat 500e has radiation levels of 80 milligauss.

Full disclosure: The article was written at the initiative of the SafeFields company, which specializes in control and quality in vehicles and provides solutions for radiation protection.

We contacted the Frisby company that imports Tiggo8pro from the manufacturer Chery but no response was given.

The response of the Lubinski company that markets the EHS of the manufacturer MG: “All the vehicles marketed in Israel by Lubinski have successfully met all the strict standards for marketing vehicles in Europe and Israel. According to independent tests conducted in the past, it has been proven beyond any doubt that the level of non-ionizing radiation in electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids is no different, and even less, than vehicles powered by internal combustion engines.”

We contacted Wolf Communications who represent the GLE 350 de PHEV of the manufacturer Mercedes

and Ioniq 4 from the manufacturer Hyundai – but no response was given.

Orchid Sport Cars, the official importer of Porsche in Israel: “The manufacturer complies with the strict European standards regarding radiation issues.” We asked for proof of this, but they did not provide us with the required documents.

niro gen2 u–Niro plus gen1 – Talkar reported that “the vehicles produced by Kia which are imported by Talkar meet all the strictest international standards, including mandatory standards for exposure to radiation.”

Champion Motors, who represent Volkswagen, stated: “As the Ministry of the Environment itself stated, on the website where it published the results of the radiation measurements that were brought to its attention, no evidence was found that the occupants of electric or hybrid vehicles face a health hazard as a result of exposure to radiation. To complete the picture, we note that the ID3 model mentioned in the article is neither imported nor marketed by us in Israel. We would also emphasize that all vehicles imported by Champion Motors for Israel meet all the requirements of the law and the standards required by it.”

The Semlat Group’s response: “The Semlat Group is fully committed to the safety of its customers. The Fiat 500e model, like all the brands the company imports, fully complies with the strictest standards and requirements of the European Union and the Ministry of Transportation in Israel, including aspects of exposure to electromagnetic radiation.

“The attempt to apply the 4 milligauss threshold to traveling by car is wrong and misleading. This threshold is set by the Ministry of Environmental Protection for chronic and continuous exposure in residential buildings and educational institutions. Staying in a car does not fall under this definition, and vehicles safely and strictly meet the international standards of the World Health Organization (WHO) for acute exposure.

“The car manufacturers we represent are at the forefront of technology and incorporate advanced shielding systems already at the planning stage, with the aim of minimizing electromagnetic fields in the passenger compartment.

As for the data that appears in your request, these measurements were not conducted in coordination with us or the manufacturer. Since we do not have any information or a detailed report regarding the measurement methodology, the type of equipment used or the level of certification of the measuring party, we are unable to refer to the findings as stated.”

*Assisted in the preparation of the article – Yonatan Doshnitsky