title: The precautionary principle and risk perception: experimental studies in the EMF area.
abstract: Possible adverse health effects due to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) from cellular phones and base stations present a major public health issue across Europe. Because scientists cannot exclude that EMFs may cause health problems, the application of the precautionary principle is debated heavily. By considering precautionary measures, political decision makers hope to cope with public fears about EMFs. We present results from two experimental studies that indicate that precautionary measures may trigger concerns, amplify EMF-related risk perceptions, and lower trust in public health protection. Such impacts, questioning common expectations, should be considered in decisions about precautionary measures.
authors.affiliation: Research Centre Jülich, Programme Group MUT (Humans, Environment, Technology), Jülich, Germany. p.wiedemann@fz-juelich.de
authors.forename: Peter M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Wiedemann
authors.forename: Holger
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schütz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003256:Community Participation; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D012306:Risk; D035501:Uncertainty