NATIONAL

1
NATIONAL INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS FOR WORKER
PUBLIC EXPOSURE TO NIR
Elizabeth Kelley, M.A.

International NIR Health Workshop
Porto Alegre, Brasil,
May 18 19, 2009.
2
Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) to Radio Frequency
(RF)
Technological Advances
RFID
smart meter
WiFi, WiMax
exposure
? Long-term Health Effects?
2000s
CFL
1980s
cell phone
1970s
computers
1950s
1940s
television
1920s
radar
1900
radio wireless
electricity
1900
2000
time
3
National International EMF Standards Using 2
GHz as the Reference Frequency
4
U.S. FCC EMF/RFR Public and Worker Exposure
Guidelines 2 GHz
Short-Term Long-Term
30 minutes Unknown
6 minutes Unknown
General Public
Workers
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Comparison to Ionizing Radiation Standards

• International cooperation (ICRP)
• Independent standards (EPA) regulation (NRC)
• Many years, hundreds of millions for research
  on long term, low level exposures
• Limits for workers 10 times lt clinically
  observable effects on chromosomes
• Limit for most sensitive member of public from
  nuclear power is 200 times lt workers
• Decisions controlled by ALARA, remote siting

6
International standard setting critique

• Define the Precautionary Principle as
  science-based
• Base standards on short term acute health
  effects, e.g. temperature elevation, burn, etc.
• Have ignored credible studies showing low level
  effects
• Restrict stakeholder representation and do not
  fully consider economic and social aspects
• Conduct informational risk communications
  campaigns

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Concerns about some current standards

• Physical and biological effects not recognized
• Standards not health based, do not consider low
  level effects
• Differential sensitivity of tissue not recognized
• RFR signal, as information to the cell, is not
  included, e.g., frequency/amplitude modulation
• Chronic exposure should not be extrapolated from
  acute exposure
• Adverse effect on bodily function and system
  minimal consequences not included

8
Concerns about EMF/health issue management

• Human rights to a cleaner, safer environment
• Civil and constitutional rights
• No independent, sustained, government programs.
• Public health officials and major media are
  silent
• Independent scientists are not included
• Some nations preempt local control over antennas,
  no place to hide
• Industry immunity, no risk, public policy
  control
• Issue management strategy by manufacturers and
  providers product marketing gt consumer
  adaptationgt wireless technology expansion

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European Parliament EMF ResolutionApril 2, 2009

• Concerns about adequacy of the existing EMF
  limits
• Calls for consideration of biological effects
• Calls for Member States and industry to address
  new technologies to reduce EMF exposure
• Safer EMF environments schools, homes,
  retirement centers and health care facilities
• Calls for studies on electromagnetic
  compatibilioty of artificial EMF with the living
  human body
• Calls for annual report on EU levels of EMF and
  actions taken to protect human health and the
  environment

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European EMF Resolution cont.

• Deplores delay in publication of Interphone
  study
• and asks for an explanation right away
• Fund awareness program for young Europeans on
  cell phone risks and safer use of wireless
  technologies
• EU Indoor Air Quality policy study of wireless
  sources at home and in public (indoor WIFI, DECT)
• Improved consumer information and labelling
• Single standard for ELF exposure along high
  voltage grids
• Calls upon Member States to recognize EHS as a
  disability and grant adequate protection as an
  equal opportunity (as Sweden has)

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Standard setting in a rapidly evolving wireless
electrical power environment

• Science trails technology
• Increased miniaturization and infrastructure
  applications
• Voluntary vs. involuntary exposure
• Low level, chronic exposure non-linear effects
• Combined and cumulative exposure
• Neurological/behavioral effects/EHS
• Animal and cell studies can help define exposure
• Flexibility the key, e.g. MRIs, childrens toys

12
Interim precautionary measures

• Switzerland, 1999 Italy, 2003 Liechtenstein,
  2008 Defines places with
  sensitive use as wherever people regularly spend
  lengthy periods of time - apartments, schools,
  hospitals, offices and playgrounds EMF emissions
  monitoring and reporting.
• Liechtenstein, 2008 Environmental Protection
  law consider the state of scientific knowledge
  or experience, people not endangered, well-being
  of the population not substantially interfered
  with. In urgent cases, shutdown can be ordered.
• Many nations issued health warnings on cell
  phone use
• European Parliament EMF Resolution April 2,
  2009
• France, May 2009 Call for EMF science review

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Model national government approach EMF
research and policy oversight
Top level legislative, research and standards
development ongoing public health and safety
activities Public health information and
education Risk assessment - pre and post
market Exposure monitoring reporting Product
safety reviews Occupational studies
Toxicological assessment
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Boulder, Colorado, USAAmericas 1st Smart Grid
City
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Antennas on Buildings (Kitchen, 2001)
Fire Station 101
shadow region
Power Density
(micro/m2) 0.28 0.06 0.04
0.16 0.07
?W/m2

• 50 100 200
  300 m
• 
  Distance (m)

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Time of Adjustment Paradigm Shift
duck or rabbit?
The very existence of science depends on vesting
the power to choose between paradigms . . .
Thomas Kuhn
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Some Strengths of Scientific Evidence

• Beyond all reasonable doubt (Criminal Law)
• Reasonable certainty (Civil Law)
• Balance of probabilities/evidence (Bayesian)
• Strong possibility (IARC on ELF, 2002)
• Scientific suspicion of risk (Swedish Chemical
  Law)
• Pertinent information (Swine Flu Risk
  Assessment)

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Choosing an appropriate strength of evidence
for action isan ethical issue

• Who benefits and who gains from being wrong in
  acting, or not acting, early enough to prevent
  harm?
• Short term, specific, economic interests?
• Or long term health/ecosystem/general welfare
  interests?

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The Precautionary Principle   ICEMS Statement

•  When there are indications of possible adverse
  effects, though they remain uncertain, the risks
  from doing nothing may be far greater than the
  risks of taking action to control these
  exposures.
• The Precautionary Principle shifts the burden of
  proof from those suspecting a risk to those who
  discount it.

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Eurobarometer, 2006

• When government responds positively to citizen
• concerns about how EMF exposure affects their
• health and well-being, citizens place more trust
  in their government.

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The Gaia hypothesis is being tested