Setting Prudent Public Health Policy for Electromagnetic Field Exposures

Abstract

Electromagnetic fields (EMF) permeate our environment, coming both from such natural sources as the sun and from manmade sources like electricity, communication technologies and medical devices. Although life on earth would not be possible without sunlight, increasing evidence indicates that exposures to the magnetic fields associated with electricity and to communication frequencies associated with radio, television, WiFi technology, and mobile cellular phones pose significant hazards to human health. The evidence is strongest for leukemia from electricityfrequency fields and for brain tumors from communication-frequency fields, yet evidence is emerging for an association with other diseases as well, including neurodegenerative diseases. Some uncertainty remains as to the mechanism(s) responsible for these biological effects, and as to which components of the fields are of greatest importance. Nevertheless, regardless of whether the associations are causal, the strengths of the associations are sufficiently strong that in the opinion of the authors, taking action to reduce exposures is imperative, especially for the fetus and children. Inaction is not compatible with the Precautionary Principle, as enunciated by the Rio Declaration. Because of ubiquitous exposure, the rapidly expanding development of new EMF technologies and the long latency for the development of such serious diseases as brain cancers, the failure to take immediate action risks epidemics of potentially fatal diseases in the future.

“Dirty electricity”: what, where, and should we care?

“…It has been argued that the current approach in which a scientifically sound conclusion on health risk of a specific exposure is based on review of all available studies and if deemed necessary, subsequent amendment of protection strategies renders this debate open to criticism and controversy, which is routinely exploited by interest groups to prevent introduction of measures to reduce exposure levels (Carpenter and Sage, 2008;Genuis, 2008). This has been especially persistent in EMF research due to the intransigent disbelief of some vocal scientists and by delayed EMF legislation by injection of confusion and doubt into the scientific debate by focusing on uncertainties and deflecting attention from harm potential by vested interests (The International Commission for Electromagnetic Safety, 2006;Genuis, 2008).…”

“…This has been especially persistent in EMF research due to the intransigent disbelief of some vocal scientists and by delayed EMF legislation by injection of confusion and doubt into the scientific debate by focusing on uncertainties and deflecting attention from harm potential by vested interests (The International Commission for Electromagnetic Safety, 2006;Genuis, 2008). It has been argued that, whether causality has been proven or not, the associations between EMF exposure and health effects are sufficiently strong to warrant actions to reduce exposure levels in the general population (Carpenter and Sage, 2008;Genuis, 2008). However, it is precisely the discussion and subsequent scientific testing of these uncertainties that are of the utmost importance for the correct interpretation of data on potential health effects of electromagnetic field exposure.…”

“…However, it is precisely the discussion and subsequent scientific testing of these uncertainties that are of the utmost importance for the correct interpretation of data on potential health effects of electromagnetic field exposure. As hardly any populations in the world can be found without exposure to electromagnetic fields, even if the true risk of EMF exposure is only small to moderate and the effects on the population attributable risk could be enormous (Carpenter and Sage, 2008;Genuis, 2008). Yet, precautionary measures needed to reduce exposure on a population level will be draconian and without a valid scientific basis for exposure limits or even a biological mechanism for long-term effects to act upon will be unfeasible to introduce, if a causal relation does exist at all.…”

Blood laboratory findings in patients suffering from self‐perceived electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS)

“…Electromagnetic fields are considered by some a source of potential health risks [WHO, 2004;Carpenter and Sage, 2008]. The discussion ranges from impaired well-being to carcinogenic effects and also touches regulatory issues.…”

Low-power Density Radiations Emitted from Common Wi-Fi Routers Influence Sperm Concentration and Sperm Histomorphometric Parameters: A New Horizon on Male Infertility Treatment

“…In the last decade, numerous investigators evaluated the bio-effects of microwaves at different levels to shed light on the precise mechanisms of microwave radiation interacting with the living organisms [3]. In this regard, several researchers reported that EMF radiation induced serious health outcomes in people who inhabit around Wi-Fi and cell phone sources [4][5][6]. Some studies have revealed that EMF radiation emitted from cell phone, Wi-Fi router and other sources induce infertility in male reproductive system by decreasing the quality of semen [7][8][9].…”