1. CITEL – San Salvador | 16 April 2007 1 | Electromagnetic Fields: A WHO Perspective Dr E. van Deventer

2. CITEL – San Salvador | 16 April 2007 2 | OUTLINE Introduction The WHO International EMF Project –Risk assessment of EMF research –Risk management programs –Risk communication tools Conclusions

3. CITEL – San Salvador | 16 April 2007 3 |

4. CITEL – San Salvador | 16 April 2007 4 | The Present Global Context Ever more sophisticated RF systems Increasing number of devices and users  Increasing exposure to EMF  Increasing concern from the public

5. CITEL – San Salvador | 16 April 2007 5 | Large and increasingly sophisticated database Known mechanisms Health effects not established below international guidelines Scientific uncertainty … precaution? The Present Scientific Knowledge

6. CITEL – San Salvador | 16 April 2007 6 | Interaction Mechanisms Frequency 100 kHz300 MHz 10 GHz Induced currents Induced currents and heating Surface heating

7. CITEL – San Salvador | 16 April 2007 7 | OUTLINE Introduction The WHO International EMF Project –Risk assessment of EMF research –Risk management programs –Risk communication tools Conclusions

8. CITEL – San Salvador | 16 April 2007 8 | 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

9. CITEL – San Salvador | 16 April 2007 9 | Structure Research Coordinating Committee Research Coordinating Committee International Advisory Committee International Advisory Committee EMF Project Secretariat Standards Harmonization Committee Standards Harmonization Committee International Organizations International Organizations Collaborating Institutions Collaborating Institutions National Authorities National Authorities

10. CITEL – San Salvador | 16 April 2007 10 | EMF: An environmental risk? Science Risk Assessment Policies Risk Management Public Concern Risk Perception

11. CITEL – San Salvador | 16 April 2007 11 | 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

12. CITEL – San Salvador | 16 April 2007 12 | time What has been done? What is being done? What needs to been done? WHO Research reviews Health Risk Assessments WHO Research Database WHO Research Agenda http://www.who.int/emf WHO and EMF Research

13. CITEL – San Salvador | 16 April 2007 13 | ELF Research Agenda Funding Agencies

14. CITEL – San Salvador | 16 April 2007 14 | Scientific Process Science Policies Define hypothesis Design study Seek funding Conduct study Incorporate study in health risk assessment Publish study in peer-reviewed journal

15. CITEL – San Salvador | 16 April 2007 15 | RESEARCH Balance of studies needed http://www.niehs.nih.gov/emfrapid/booklet/emf2002.pdf

16. CITEL – San Salvador | 16 April 2007 16 | Hazard identification and classification of possible carcinogens (Monographs) Risk assessment of all health outcomes (Environmental Health Criteria) WHO Health Risk Assessment

17. CITEL – San Salvador | 16 April 2007 17 | Health Risk Assessment Schedule Static (0 Hz) IARC 2001-2002 EHC 2003-2005 ELF (>0 Hz – 100 kHz) IARC 2001-2002 EHC 2003-2007 RF (>100 kHz – 300 GHz) IARC 2008 ? EHC 2008 ? INTERPHONE multinational epidemiologic study IARC evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humans from RF WHO assessment of all health risks to humans from RF

18. CITEL – San Salvador | 16 April 2007 18 | Key Issues

19. CITEL – San Salvador | 16 April 2007 19 | N o 304

20. CITEL – San Salvador | 16 April 2007 20 | OUTLINE Introduction Science Scientific Reviews Health Risk Assessment Policies Standards Legislation Communication Information Risk Perception Dialogue

21. CITEL – San Salvador | 16 April 2007 21 | Norms, Standards and Guidelines Emission standards have specifications that limit the EMF emissions from devices Exposure standards have specifications that limit EMF exposure to people

22. CITEL – San Salvador | 16 April 2007 22 | Norms, Standards and Guidelines Emission standards have specifications that limit the EMF emissions from devices Exposure standards have specifications that limit EMF exposure to people

23. CITEL – San Salvador | 16 April 2007 23 |

24. CITEL – San Salvador | 16 April 2007 24 |

25. CITEL – San Salvador | 16 April 2007 25 | New policy documents ….

26. CITEL – San Salvador | 16 April 2007 26 | 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

27. CITEL – San Salvador | 16 April 2007 27 | 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 Framework for Developing EMF Standards Motivation http://www.who.int/peh-emf/standards/framework/en/index.html

28. CITEL – San Salvador | 16 April 2007 28 | OUTLINE Introduction Science Scientific Reviews Health Risk Assessment Policies Standards Legislation Communication Information Risk Perception Dialogue

29. CITEL – San Salvador | 16 April 2007 29 | www.who.int/emf

30. CITEL – San Salvador | 16 April 2007 30 | OUTLINE Introduction The WHO International EMF Project –Risk assessment of EMF research –Risk management programs –Risk communication tools Conclusions

31. CITEL – San Salvador | 16 April 2007 31 | 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

32. CITEL – San Salvador | 16 April 2007 32 | 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: emfproject@who.int website: www.who.int/emf