The role of scientific advisory bodies in precaution‐based risk governance illustrated with the issue of uncertain health effects of electromagnetic fields

Dijk, H.F.G. van; Rongen, Eric van; Eggermont, Gilbert; Lebret, Erik; Bijker, Wiebe E.; Timmermans, Daniëlle R.M.

doi:10.1080/13669877.2011.553729

Cited by 16 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…This means that there is competing evidence, and alternative expert groups in the field. Van Dijk et al (2011), studying health politics, claim that in policy making processes there always should be a 'collection and analysis' stage where different stakeholders are involved. This is a process where 'policy-makers, scientists and experts, industries, trade unions, NGOs, patient organisations, citizens' panels ... have different roles to play ' (ibid.:454).…”

Section: Scientific and Monitoring Knowledgementioning

confidence: 99%

Communities of practice in the management of an Arctic environment: monitoring knowledge as complementary to scientific knowledge and the precautionary principle?

Nyseth

Viken

2015

Polar Record

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This article engages with knowledge management in governing vulnerable polar areas and tourism. Since the 1870's Svalbard has been a cruise tourism destination. Due to less ice during the summer period, the number of tourists visiting the remote northeast corner of the archipelago has increased significantly and the potential negative impact on this vulnerable natural environment has become an issue. The standard modes of managing these areas have either been to apply the precautionary principle or measures based on scientific evidence. As management models, both principles are however, for a number of reasons contested. This paper argues for a third model, partly practiced based on a form of monitoring knowledge circulating in 'communities of practice' developed over time. This form of knowledge constitute viable expertise for governing and management of the environment-tourism nexus in the areas but needs to be acknowledged as a complementary management platform. The article demonstrates how such monitoring can be done, and suggests some principles for developing monitoring knowledge for administrative and management puposes.2

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Section: Scientific and Monitoring Knowledgementioning

confidence: 99%

Communities of practice in the management of an Arctic environment: monitoring knowledge as complementary to scientific knowledge and the precautionary principle?

Nyseth

Viken

2015

Polar Record

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“…Although actual health risks from the usage of portable networking devices remain a topic of a scientific debate, a precautionary principle has become a topic of discussion [24]. By the general precautionary principle, e.g.…”

Section: / 6_________________________________________________________mentioning

confidence: 99%

Reducing Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields from Wireless Networking with Portable Computers

Koppel

Vilcane

Ahonen

2015

Safety of Technogenic Environment

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The relevance of this study is determined by the rapid development in the portable computer and wireless data transmission technologies. Modern working and living environments have become abundant in radiofrequency electromagnetic fields. This article investigates the effectiveness of intervention measures to reduce laptop computer user's exposure to the radiofrequency electromagnetic field from wireless networking. Different exposure reduction solutions using 2G, 3G, 4G wireless network modems are studied. Intervention measures include: 1) selecting an area with better wireless network reception and 2) placing the network modem away from the user at different distances. The results show the greatest reduction in exposure when the wireless modem was placed outside the workplace, away from the line of sight. The reception quality also played a determining role in the output power of the computer's wireless modem. Therefore, the highest exposure levels were detected while the wireless modem was closest to the user's body and under the poorest network reception conditions.

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“…Several studies have shown the variation in expert advice and current national policies on EMFs [ 14 , 15 ]. Some countries, such as Switzerland, Denmark and Australia, have adopted a precautionary approach on some EMF issues.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Different roles of electromagnetic field experts when giving policy advice: an expert consultation

et al. 2015

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BackgroundThe overall evidence for adverse health effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF) at levels of exposure normally experienced by the public is generally considered weak. However, whether long-term health effects arise remains uncertain and scientific policy advice is therefore given against a background of uncertainty. Several theories exist about different roles that experts may take when they provide advice on complex issues such as EMF. To provide empirical evidence for these theories, we conducted an expert consultation with as main research question: What are the different roles of EMF experts when they provide policy advice?MethodsQ methodology was used to empirically test theoretical notions on the existence and determinants of different expert roles and to analyze which roles actually play out in the domain of EMF. Experts were selected based on a structured nominee process. In total 32 international EMF experts participated. Responses were analyzed using Principal Component Analysis and for the open questions we used Atlas.ti.ResultsFour expert roles were found. Most striking differences between the four roles are whether experts consider current EMF policies adequate or not, whether additional –precautionary– measures are needed, and how experts view their position vis-à-vis policymakers and/or other stakeholders.ConclusionThis empirical study provides support for the so far mainly theoretical debate about the existence of different roles of experts when they give policy advice. The experts’ assessment of the degree of uncertainty of the issue turned out to be highly associated with their role. We argue that part of the controversy that exists in the debate regarding scientific policy advice on EMF is about different values and roles.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1476-069X-14-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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The role of scientific advisory bodies in precaution‐based risk governance illustrated with the issue of uncertain health effects of electromagnetic fields

Cited by 16 publications

References 36 publications

Communities of practice in the management of an Arctic environment: monitoring knowledge as complementary to scientific knowledge and the precautionary principle?

Communities of practice in the management of an Arctic environment: monitoring knowledge as complementary to scientific knowledge and the precautionary principle?

Reducing Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields from Wireless Networking with Portable Computers

Different roles of electromagnetic field experts when giving policy advice: an expert consultation

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