Exposure of humans to electromagnetic fields. Standards and regulations.
Biological and health effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF) have been investigated for many years. Exposure standards have been developed internationally, that provide adequate protection against all known adverse effects of exposure to EMF. The guidelines developed by the International Commission on Non Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) are widely recognized and have formed the basis for national regulations in several countries. The two-level structure, with basic restrictions and reference levels, allows the standards to be adapted to virtually any exposure condition, including complex situations at workplaces. However, concerns for hypothesized, but unproven, long-term effects of chronic exposure to low-level EMF have created a demand for precautionary measures beyond the standards for recognized, acute effects. Such measures, if deemed justified by social considerations, including public anxiety, should be separate from exposure standards, and adopted with special care to avoid undermining the credibility of science-based guidelines, and of health authorities.
Vecchia
Paolo
P
Dipartimento di Tecnologie e Salute, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Roma, Italy. paolo.vecchia@iss.infn.it
D004574:Electromagnetic Fields / Q000009:adverse effects; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards*; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007390:International Agencies / Q000592:standards; D008452:Maximum Allowable Concentration; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000592:standards; D014944:World Health Organization