Key Notes;
*The United States Air Force Research Laboratory has a "Directed Energy Bio effects Division". See below;
For more information about NATO activities in EMF contact:
Dr B. Jon Klauenberg
NATO Technical Liaison for NIR
United States Air Force Research Laboratory
Human Effectiveness Directorate
Directed Energy Bioeffects Division
Radio Frequency Radiation Branch
8308 Hawks Rd
Brooks Air Force Base
TX 78235-5368
USA
Tel: +1 210-536-4837
Fax: +1 210-536-3977
E-mail: b.jon.klauenberg@brooks.af.mil
(WHO, IO, NATO, pg 1).
*(Note, the wording; hands-free device) "exposure to the foetus under various exposure scenarios (e.g., with and without a hands-free device) are needed," (WHO, pg 5, no 5).
*(Note, the choice of wording; collaborating) The following international organizations are collaborating on the Project, (WHO, IO, NATO, pg 1).
*If ethical approval can be obtained, acute effects on cognition and EEGs should also be investigated in children exposed to RF fields in the laboratory. High Priority (WHO, pg 5, no 2).
*Laboratory-based studies of cognition and changes in electroencephalograms (EEGs) in children exposed to ELF fields in the laboratory, if ethical approval is possible. High Priority (WHO, pg 4, no 2).
*(Note, the wording; induced or injected current) Dosimetric modelling of the interaction between induced or injected current and juvenile limbs should be undertaken, taking account of reduced surface resistance, lack of bone calcification and the presence of active marrow, (WHO, pg 4, no 5).
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WHO, Children's EMF Research Agenda, Extremely Low Frequency Fields, 5. Dosimetry and exposure assessment, pg 4. Link; http://www.who.int/peh-emf/research/children/en/index3.html
WHO, Children's EMF Research Agenda, Extremely Low Frequency Fields, 2. Volunteer studies, pg 4. Link; http://www.who.int/peh-emf/research/children/en/index3.html
WHO, Children's EMF Research Agenda, Extremely Low Frequency Fields, 2. Volunteer studies, pg 5. Link; http://www.who.int/peh-emf/research/children/en/index4.html
WHO, Electromagnetic fields (EMF), EMF Project, International Organizations, NATO, pg 1. Link; http://www.who.int/peh-emf/project/intorg/en/index.html
WHO, Children's EMF Research Agenda, Extremely Low Frequency Fields, 5. Dosimetry and exposure assessment, pg 5. Link; http://www.who.int/peh-emf/research/children/en/index4.html
WHO, Electromagnetic fields (EMF), EMF Project, International Organizations, pg 1. Link; http://www.who.int/peh-emf/project/intorg/en/index.html
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The International EMF Project
The International EMF Project was set up in 1996 to evaluate the potential health effects of EMF. In collaboration with the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), it completed initial international scientific reviews of possible health effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) and provided interim conclusions on health hazards from exposure to EMF. These reviews also identified research that had raised unresolved questions about whether exposure to low-level EMF, particularly over long periods, has any deleterious effects on human health. These reviews covered different parts of the frequency spectrum:
- radiofrequencies (RF: > 10 MHz to 300 GHz) - Munich 1996
- static and extremely low frequency (ELF: >0 to 300 Hz) fields) - Bologna 1997
- intermediate frequencies (IF: >300 Hz to 10 MHz) - Maastricht 1999
For further details see Proceedings of WHO-sponsored seminars
- EMF Project Promotional Brochure
pdf, 3.06Mb
The International EMF Project has been established to assess health and environmental effects of exposure to static and time varying electric and magnetic fields in the frequency range 0-300 GHz.
Project participants
Participating Countries;
International Organizations
The following international organizations are collaborating on the Project:
ICNIRP
International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP)
ICNIRP is an independent scientific commission established by the International Radiation Protection Association (IRPA) to advance non-ionizing radiation (NIR) protection for the benefit of people and the environment. It provides science-based guidance and recommendations on protection from NIR exposure, develops independent international guidelines and limits of exposure to NIR that are science-based, and represents the radiation protection profession world-wide through its close relationship with IRPA.
ICNIRP is the formally recognised non-governmental organization in NIR for WHO and the International Labour Organization (ILO).
Table of contents
- ICNIRP
- IARC
- UNEP
- ILO
- ITU
- EC
- IEC
- NATO
Sources;
http://www.who.int/peh-emf/project/en/
http://www.who.int/peh-emf/research/agenda/en/index1.html
http://www.who.int/peh-emf/project/intorg/en/index.html
Research agenda
"Many large research funding agencies use the WHO Research Agendas as a basis for their funding research. Since 1997 over $200 million of funding for research has been conducted to complete these Agendas", (WHO).
Radio frequency (RF) fields research agenda
Extremely low frequency (ELF) fields research agenda
Static fields research agenda
Source; http://www.who.int/peh-emf/research/agenda/en/index.html
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Children's EMF Research Agenda
Agenda contents
- Introduction & general comments
- General recommendations
- Static fields
- Extremely Low Frequency Fields
- Radio Frequency Fields
- References
Link; http://www.who.int/peh-emf/research/children/en/index.html
Extremely Low Frequency Fields
1. Epidemiological Studies
Something of an impasse has been reached in designing studies of ELF magnetic fields and childhood leukaemia. While existing epidemiological studies show a consistent association, most of the available studies are of case-control design and are thus potentially subject to selection bias. To move forward we need innovative approaches, which might include (1) designing studies capable of evaluateing selection bias (e.g., by collecting data on magnetic fields and participation) and/or minimizing it (e.g., a cohort study), or (2) identifying large, highly exposed populations (e.g., those living in apartments next to transformers), or susceptible subgroups (e.g., previously initiated populations in which magnetic fields act as a second ‘event’ in carcinogenesis). In addition, two hypotheses concerning causality (contact current and melatonin) were discussed at the Workshop. All of these approaches and hypotheses pose major challenges.
- Pooled analysis of childhood cancer studies. High Priority
Rationale: Pooled analyses of childhood leukaemia studies have been very informative. Although new studies would not fundamentally change the results of the previous pooled analyses, recent studies will add new countries and enough data to probe the results further. It might be possible to further explore the high end of the dose-response curve. Additionally, risk modifiers - for example, age - might be further explored. Brain cancer studies have shown inconsistent results; a pooled analysis of brain cancer studies may also be very informative, may inexpensively provide insight into existing data, including the possibility of selection bias, and, if appropriate (i.e., if studies are sufficiently homogeneous), may come up with the best estimate of risk.
- Further studies of ELF exposure and miscarriage. Medium Priority
Rationale: Two recent California studies have reported an increased risk of miscarriage due to maximum levels of ELF exposure, but the studies have areas of potential weakness in study design that can be improved. First we recommend studies to identify behavioural determinants of maximum fields. Further investigation, focusing on early pregnancy loss and using improved design, would also contribute to this area.
Radio Frequency Fields
1. Epidemiological studies
There is little relevant epidemiology at present that examines health effects in children; the following recommendations address general health effects, including cancers in children who use mobile phones or live near base stations or radio or TV towers.
- Prospective cohort study of children mobile phone users and all health outcomes other than brain cancer (see below) but including more general health outcomes such as cognitive effects and effects on sleep quality. High Priority
Rationale: Since many children are heavy mobile phone users and will continue to be in the future, they represent a unique population. The type of mobile use among children (e.g. text messaging), their potential biologic vulnerability and longer lifetime exposure make such a study desirable. Cognitive effects and other general health outcomes have been anecdotally reported in mobile phone users. They can be assessed in a prospective cohort study of children. A separate study of children was found necessary, as it is not possible to just extend the age range of a cohort study of adults because the outcomes have to be assessed by different methods in children and adults, and children’s exposure probably differs from that of adults’ (more use of pay-as-you-go SIM-cards, more frequent change of phones and operator). - Case-control study of children mobile phone users and brain cancer. High Priority
Rationale: Brain cancer is an important end-point to study given the location of the antenna for the phone, but it is rare in children and so this is not likely to be a feasible end-point for a cohort study.
2. Volunteer studies
The following recommendations address effects seen in laboratory-based studies using adult volunteers.
- A laboratory-based assessment of effects of RF exposure on cognition, EEGs, and sleep in children is recommended as a part of a larger prospective cohort study (see the Epidemiology section). If ethical approval can be obtained, acute effects on cognition and EEGs should also be investigated in children exposed to RF fields in the laboratory. High Priority
Rationale: Cognitive effects are a priority research area in RF studies. However there is a paucity of data concerning RF effects on children (Goldstein et al, 2003; AGNIR, 2003; WHO RF Research Agenda).
The recommendations given below focus on the developing central nervous system, haemopoietic (bone marrow) tissue and immune system. Experimental protocols should include prenatal and/or early postnatal exposure to EMFs.
- Effects of prenatal exposure to RF fields on the development and maturation of the blood-brain barrier. [Note that funded work is likely to begin on this topic in the near future; see above.] High Priority
Rationale: Possible effects on the adult blood-brain barrier and the potential for resulting neuropathology have long been a controversial issue in RF research (e.g., IEGMP, 2000; WHO RF Research Agenda). These studies should be extended to cover pre- and postnatal development of the blood-brain barrier. (In humans, this development is complete at approximately 6 months [Rodier, 2004].)
4. In vitro studies
Studies of possible RF effects on carcinogenic processes, particularly effects on differentiation pathways and hematopoietic tissue, continue to be of interest. In addition, effects on nerve cell growth and synaptogenesis are considered worthy of further research. The possibility that biological tissue can somehow demodulate modulated RF signals to produce biologically significant ELF electric fields and currents has long been a controversial area. Research into this area, based on a recently proposed, very sensitive method of detection, is being funded in the UK (Challis, in press). If real, this effect could have important implications for both childhood and adult exposure. Other mechanistic studies were also recommended.
- Studies of RF effects on cell differentiation, e.g., during haemopoiesis in bone marrow, and on nerve cell growth using brain slices/cultured neurons. High Priority
Rationale: Cancer cells are generally locked into a rapidly dividing and relatively undifferentiated state, and the possibility that haemopoietic and/or neuronal tissue shows a growth response to EMF exposure was considered to be an important area for further investigation.
5. Dosimetry and exposure assessment
A key issue in this area has been the development of a personal dosimeter in order to greatly improve exposure assessment (for example, around base stations) for epidemiological studies (Wiart, in press). Recommendations were made for improved childhood exposure assessment and dosimetric and thermal modelling.
- Research is needed to document rapidly changing patterns of phone use (SMS, email, classical phone communication, etc.) and exposure of different parts of the body for children and foetuses. High Priority
Rationale: This research would be required to complement epidemiological studies. Exposure surveys (in contrast to simple source evaluations) to assess children’s exposure are lacking, but urgently needed. Service providers are important sources of information regarding exposure and should be encouraged to participate in exposure surveys and epidemiological studies.
- Dosimetric models of RF energy deposition in children and foetuses, combined with appropriate models of human (childhood) thermoregulatory responses, should be developed. High Priority
Rationale: These dosimetric and thermoregulatory models are required in order to predict potential hazards associated with specific RF exposure conditions (Goldstein et al., 2003; WHO RF Research Agenda). Dosimetric calculations and realistic modelling of exposure to the foetus under various exposure scenarios (e.g., with and without a hands-free device) are needed.
Sources; http://www.who.int/peh-emf/research/children/en/index.htm
