title: A method for assessing alternative effects functions that uses simulation with EMDEX data.
abstract: A method for evaluating a variety of alternative biologically plausible effects functions through the use of simulation studies conducted on personal-monitor exposure data is described. Using magnetic field time series collected with EMDEX instruments, we demonstrate how the method can be used to explore 1) how the outputs from various effects functions simulations compare to the results obtained by assuming that effects are proportional to time average field strength; 2) how the results of epidemiological studies might be used to assess the relative likelihood that each of the alternative effects functions describes biological reality; and 3) how the results might be used to assess possible health risks. Although the available data are sufficient to demonstrate the general method, they are not yet sufficient to support actual discrimination among possible alternatives. The arguments on the use of the method are for illustrative purposes only.
authors.affiliation: Department of Engineering and Public Policy, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Nair
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012984:Software; D013672:Technology