Transcript Electromagnetic Fields: A WHO Perspective Dr E. van Deventer 1

Electromagnetic Fields:
A WHO Perspective
Dr E. van Deventer
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OUTLINE
 Introduction
 The WHO International EMF Project
– Risk assessment of EMF research
– Risk management programs
– Risk communication tools
 Conclusions
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The Present Global Context
 Ever more sophisticated RF systems
 Increasing number of devices and users
 Increasing exposure to EMF
 Increasing concern from the public
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The Present
Scientific Knowledge
 Large and increasingly sophisticated database
 Known mechanisms
 Health effects not established below international
guidelines
 Scientific uncertainty … precaution?
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Interaction Mechanisms
100 kHz
300 MHz
10 GHz
Frequency
Induced
currents
Induced currents
and heating
Surface heating
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CITEL – San Salvador | 16 April 2007
OUTLINE
 Introduction
 The WHO International EMF Project
– Risk assessment of EMF research
– Risk management programs
– Risk communication tools
 Conclusions
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 Established in 1996
 Coordinated by WHO HQ (SDE/PHE/RAD)
 A multinational, multidisciplinary effort to create and disseminate information
appropriate to human health risk assessment for EMF
•To assess health and environmental effects of exposure to
non-ionizing radiation (0-300 GHz)
•To provide technical assistance in strengthening national
capacities for the sound management of EMF
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Structure
EMF Project
Secretariat
International
Advisory
Committee
International
Organizations
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Research
Coordinating
Committee
Collaborating
Institutions
Standards
Harmonization
Committee
National
Authorities
EMF: An environmental risk?
Science
Risk Assessment
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Public Concern
Policies
Risk Perception
Risk Management
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WHO EMF Project and Research
 WHO does NOT perform research
 WHO does NOT fund research
 WHO coordinates research
 WHO assesses research
– Scientific workshops
– Health risk assessments
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WHO and EMF Research
http://www.who.int/emf
What has
been done?
• WHO Research reviews
• Health Risk Assessments
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What is
being done?
What needs to
been done?
WHO Research
Database
WHO Research
Agenda
time
ELF Research Agenda
Funding Agencies
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Scientific Process
Define hypothesis
Design study
Seek funding
Conduct study
Science
Publish study
in peer-reviewed journal
Incorporate study
in health risk assessment
Policies
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RESEARCH
Balance of studies needed
http://www.niehs.nih.gov/emfrapid/booklet/emf2002.pdf
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WHO Health Risk Assessment
Risk assessment
of all health outcomes
(Environmental Health Criteria)
Hazard identification and classification
of possible carcinogens
(Monographs)
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Health Risk Assessment
Schedule
Static
(0 Hz)
ELF
(>0 Hz – 100 kHz)
RF
(>100 kHz – 300 GHz)
IARC
2001-2002
IARC
2001-2002
IARC
2008 ?
EHC
2003-2005
EHC
2003-2007
EHC
2008 ?
INTERPHONE multinational epidemiologic study
IARC evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humans from RF
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WHO– San
assessment
of2007
all health risks to humans from RF
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Key Issues
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No 304
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OUTLINE
Science
• Scientific Reviews
• Health Risk Assessment
• Introduction
Communication
Policies
• Information
• Risk Perception
• Dialogue
• Standards
• Legislation
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Norms, Standards and Guidelines
 Emission standards have
 Exposure standards have
specifications that limit the EMF
specifications that limit EMF
emissions from devices
exposure to people
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Norms, Standards and Guidelines
 Emission standards have
 Exposure standards have
specifications that limit the EMF
specifications that limit EMF
emissions from devices
exposure to people
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New policy documents ….
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Model Legislation
 To assist countries without
appropriate legislation to protect
their population from EMF
 Uses international standards for
exposure and emission limits

Model Act and

Model Regulation

Explanatory Memorandum
http://www.who.int/peh-emf/standards/emf_model/en/index.html
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Framework for Developing EMF Standards
Motivation
 Many countries currently
considering new EMF
standards
 Concerns about public
safety and anxiety about
increasing EMF exposures
from new technologies
 Large differences between
national standards
http://www.who.int/peh-emf/standards/framework/en/index.html
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OUTLINE
Science
• Scientific Reviews
• Health Risk Assessment
• Introduction
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Communication
Policies
• Information
• Risk Perception
• Dialogue
• Standards
• Legislation
CITEL – San Salvador | 16 April 2007
www.who.int/emf
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OUTLINE
 Introduction
 The WHO International EMF Project
– Risk assessment of EMF research
– Risk management programs
– Risk communication tools
 Conclusions
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Challenges
 Technologies on the market before health evaluation
 Lack of harmonization in standards
– Restrict technological advances and loss of benefits
 Public concern
– Need for scientists and decision-makers to communicate with all
stakeholders
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The International EMF Project
Radiation and Environmental Health
Protection of the Human Environment
World Health Organization
21 Avenue Appia
CH-1211 Geneva 27
Switzerland
email: [email protected]
website: www.who.int/emf
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