NUMBER 165 www.bioelectromagnetics.org MARCH/APRIL 2002
IN THIS ISSUE...
More BEMS Board Highlights .................................. 1
Things to Do in Québec City ...................................... 1
IARC Monograph Vol. 80 Release ............................ 2
Addition to PAVE PAWS Committee ........................ 2
Fulbright Scholar News ............................................. 2
Wiley BioMed Sciences Prize ..................................... 2
Member News and Accomplishments ....................... 3
Letters and OPINION ................................................ 4
NRPB Responds to Miscarriage Studies .................. 5
IEEE / ICES SC3 Ballot, Schedule ........................... 6
IEEE / ICES SC4 Report ........................................... 6
Will NIH Be Funding More EMF Research? ........... 7
BEMS Thanks Its Sponsors ....................................... 8
Invitation to a Special AFRL Workshop .................. 9
U.K. Radio Commission – Emission Levels ........... 10
Calendar .............................................................. 11–12
BNEWSLETTER • A Publication of The Bioelectromagnetics Society
IOELECTROMAGNETICS
MORE FROM THE BEMS
MIDWINTER BOARD MEETING
Society Membership Shows Growth
At the February board meeting in Washington, D.C., the
Membership Committee, chaired by Jutta Brix and Execu-
tive Director Gloria Parsley, reported a year-to-date mem-
bership of 436 compared to 394 at the same date early last
year. This suggests growth and an apparent end to the trend
of declining numbers seen in recent years. Total Society
membership in 2001 was 628 and this figure may be met
or exceeded as late memberships arrive. In the period from
July 2001 to February 2002 the committee processed 40
membership applications, giving its approval to 27 new
Full Members, 10 new Associate Members, and three new
Student Members.
Greenebaum Reports Reduced Backlog, Con-
tinuing Strength in New Submissions
Also at the midwinter board meeting, Ben Greenebaum,
Editor-in-Chief of Bioelectromagnetics, reported that some
papers are now passing through the editorial cycle in the
three- to six-month time frame, but the overall distribution
also shows papers with cycle times exceeding that. In addi-
tion to the editorial cycle, there is a delay of approximately 6
to 7 months at the publisher, which was reduced from a de-
lay of 9 to 12 months noted one year ago by purchasing
additional pages in 2001. The impact factor of 1.947 for Bio-
electromagnetics means that the journal remains well-posi-
tioned among its peers and competitors, according to infor-
mation from publisher John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
BEMS Budget for 2002–2003 Approved
Treasurer Marvin Ziskin presented a budget for the 2002–2003
fiscal year that begins April 1, 2002 that anticipates a slight
excess of income over expenditures. Total expenses for the year
are estimated to be approximately $365,000. Ziskin also re-
ported that despite a poor year for financial investments in gen-
eral, the Society’s cash reserves had been conservatively in-
vested and had maintained their value as of December 31, 2001.
see Midwinter Board Meeting, page 3
THINGS TO DO IN QUÉBEC CITY
see Things to Do in Québec City, page 8
Natural Wonders Abound
Take a guided whale-watching excursion along the shores
of the Charlevoix and Côte-Nord regions, go moose call-
ing at the edge of a lake in the Parc de la Jacques-Cartier or
snorkeling among the grey and harbour seals in the Îles de
la Madeleine. Québec offers some of the most impressive
creatures in the world, in their natural habitat. Also, Québec
is definitely a bird-watcher’s paradise, where it’s possibile
to see more than 350 species.
The St. Lawrence Marine Ecosystem with its cold salt water
of the estuary and gulf teems with life. An inland sea, the
St. Lawrence estuary and gulf extend from Tadoussac at
the mouth of the Saguenay River not far from Québec City
to the Atlantic. This marine ecosystem teems with plank-
ton, a food attracting many whales. Whale watching tours
depart from Tadoussac.
Also at Tadoussac, the Centre d’Interprétation des
Mammifères Marins (CIMM) is on the whale route. Visitors
find a good introduction and on-shore, bad-weather or “too
little time for tour” alternative to a cruise. CIMM offers
games, videos, skeletons, models and helpful specialists
available to answer questions. See www.gremm.org/eng/5/
FS5-2.html for more information.
2 The Bioelectromagnetics Society Newsletter March/April 2002
IARC ELF-EMF MONOGRAPH
VOLUME 80 RELEASED
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC),
Lyon, France, published highlights of its Monograph Vol-
ume 80, “Non-Ionizing Radiation, Part 1: Static and Ex-
tremely Low-Frequency (ELF) Electric and Magnetic
Fields Summary of Data Reported and Evaluation” on the
Internet in March and paper copies are expected to be avail-
able in April.
The 429-page report provides background material and evi-
dence considered by members of the IARC Working Group
in June 2001, when they classified extremely low-fre-
quency (ELF) magnetic fields in Group 2B, a “possible
carcinogen” and ELF electric fields in Group 3 (not classi-
fiable). They classified static electric and magnetic fields
in Group 3, as well.
A summary of findings is posted on the IARC Web site: //
monographs.iarc.fr in five sections:
5.1 Exposure Data
5.2 Human carcinogenicity data, Effects in children, Effects
in adults
5.3 Animal carcinogenicity data
5.4 Other relevant data
5.5 Evaluation
Orders for the book, which costs US$50.00 may be faxed
to IARC-USA in Washington, D.C. at (202) 223-1782. In
Europe, contact IARC at: [email protected]
– Janet Lathrop
ADDITION ANNOUNCED TO PAVE
PAWS COMMITTEE
The U.S. National Research Council (NRC) announced re-
cently that Gayle E. Woloschak, a senior molecular biologist
and group leader of the Biosciences Division, Argonne Na-
tional Laboratory and Senior Fellow, Nanosciences Consor-
tium, Argonne National Laboratory-University of Chicago,
has been nominated to serve on the NRC’s the Committee to
Assess Potential Health Effects From Exposures To PAVE
PAWS Low-Level Phased Array Radiofrequency Energy.
She has studied the molecular biology of lymphocyte and
motor neuron abnormalities in DNA-repair deficient mice,
gene regulation following stress responses such as radiation
exposure, and analysis of molecular mechanisms of oncogen-
esis in radiation-induced tumors.
How to Comment on Committee Appointments
Appointments made to this committee are provisional, and
changes may be made. No appointment shall be consid-
ered final until NRC staff have evaluated relevant infor-
mation bearing on the committee’s composition and bal-
ance. Observers may communicate with the National Acad-
emies at any time over the project’s duration. In addition,
formal comments on the provisional appointments to a
committee of the National Academies are solicited during
the 20-calendar day period following the posting of the
membership and these comments will be considered be-
fore committee membership is finalized.
If additional members are appointed to this committee, an
additional 20-calendar day formal public comment period
will be allowed. It is through this process that the NRC
determine whether the committee contains the requisite ex-
pertise to address its task and whether the points of views
of individual members are adequately balanced such that
the committee as a whole can address its charge objectively.
Public Meeting Scheduled on PAVE PAWS
In addition to the new committee appointment, the NRC
announced that the Committee to Assess Potential Health
Effects From Exposures To PAVE PAWS Low-Level
Phased Array Radiofrequency Energy will hold an open
forum, “Assessment of Potential Health Effects From PAVE
PAWS Radar,” to consider public input on the PAVE PAWS
radar system in Cape Cod Air Force Station, Massachu-
setts, on May 28 and 29 at the Daniel Webster Inn, Jarves
Room, 149 Main St., in Sandwich, Mass.
Opening remarks by Committee Chair Frank Barnes will
begin at 2:30 p.m. May 28. The final period for public com-
ment will end at about 9 p.m. A summary of the May 29
Closed Session will be posted after the meeting. View the
public posting on line at: www4.nas.edu/webcr.nsf/
MeetingDisplay2/BRER-K-01-01-A?OpenDocument
Anyone wishing to attend the sessions of this meeting that
are open to the public or who would like more information
should contact Dr. Rick Jostes, E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 334-2840, FAX: (202) 334-1639.
FULBRIGHT SCHOLAR NEWS
Competition opened on March 1 for the 2003–2004 Fulbright
Scholar Program, which will send 800 academics and profes-
sionals to more than 140 countries to participate in research and
as lecturers in more than 37 disciplines. Traditional Fulbright
awards support study for periods of two months to one year, but
a new short-term award program, the Fulbright Senior Special-
ists Program, offers two- to six-week grants in a variety of fields.
The application deadline for traditional Fulbright learning and
research grants worldwide is Aug. 1. For information, contact
the Council for International Exchange of Scholars, 3007 Tilden
St. NW, Suite 5L, Washington, D.C. 20008-3009. Phone +1 (202)
686-7877. E-mail: [email protected] or see: www.cies.org
The Bioelectromagnetics Society Newsletter March/April 2002 3
The Bioelectromagnetics Society newsletter is published and
distributed to all members of the Society. Institutions and li-
braries may subscribe to the newsletter at an annual cost of
$58.50 ($67.50 for overseas subscriptions). The newsletter
serves the membership and subscribers in part as a forum of
ideas and issues related to bioelectromagnetics research. All
submission to the newsletter must be signed. It is understood
that they reflect the views of individual authors and not those
of the Society or the institutions with which the author may be
affiliated. The editors welcome contributions to the newslet-
ter from members and others in the scientific and engineer-
ing communities. News items as well as short research notes
and book reviews are appreciated. Advertisements inserted
or distributed with the newsletter are not to be considered
endorsements.
To submit items for consideration, contact:
Dr. Mays Swicord, editor, Motorola Florida Research Labora-
tories, 8000 W. Sunrise Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33322 USA.
Tel. (954) 723-4898, FAX: (954) 723-5611. E-mail:
or
Janet Lathrop, managing editor, 750 Cherry Valley Rd.,
Gilford, NH 03249. Tel and FAX: (603) 293-6213 USA. E-
mail: [email protected]
For other Society business or information, contact: Gloria Pars-
ley, executive director, The Bioelectromagnetics Society, 2412
Cobblestone Way, Frederick, MD 21702-2626 USA. Tel. (301)
663-4252; FAX: (301) 694-4948. Email: [email protected]
or see the BEMS Web site: www.bioelectromagnetics.org
NOMINATIONS INVITED FOR
WILEY BIOMED SCIENCE PRIZE
The deadline is July 31 for submitting nominations to publish-
ers John Wiley & Sons, Inc., for theWiley Prize in the Biomedi-
cal Sciences. The award is intended to recognize contributions
that open new fields of research or advance novel concepts or
their applications in a particular biomedical discipline.
It may recognize a specific contribution or a series of contribu-
tions that demonstrate the nominee’s significant leadership in
the development of research concepts or their clinical applica-
tion. The international award includes a $25,000 grant and an
invitation to deliver a lecture at Rockefeller University.
Exceptional PhD and MD scientists whose research has set the
standard for excellence are eligible. More than one nomination
can be made from the same organization. Number of years in a
position is not relevant to the nomination. See the Wiley Foun-
dation Web site for complete nomination guidelines.
Contact:Wiley Foundation, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 605 Third
Ave., New York, NY 10158-0012 Tel: +1 (212) 850-6783; FAX:
+1 (212) 850-6940. E-mail: [email protected] RFP Link:
www.wiley.com/legacy/wileyfoundation/
SOCIETY MEMBERS’ NEWS AND
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Carl H. Sutton, a member of the Bioelectromagnetics So-
ciety since 1978, retired recently from his position as pro-
fessor of neurologic surgery at the Medical College of Wis-
consin and from the VA Medical Center, both in Milwaukee,
Wisc. He has been active not only in BEMS but in IEEE
SCC28, SC3 and SC4 for the past 30 years. Sutton is known
for his research on microwaves and as a member of the IEEE
Committee on Man and Radiation (COMAR). He recently
served on a study section at the U.S. National Institutes of
Health. Sutton said he “absolutely” plans to continue his
work as a consultant on medical and health considerations
of RF, microwave and extremely-low-frequency electric and
magnetic fields. He may be reached at his Tampa, Florida
area office at (813) 269-5836; FAX (813) 269-5697 or by e-
mail at: [email protected]
Contract of Executive Director Parsley Approved
The Board approved a three-year management contract with
Association Services International, Inc., the firm headed by
BEMS Executive Director Gloria L. Parsley. Management
Committee Chair Frank Barnes, President Asher Sheppard,
and Treasurer Marvin Ziskin developed the contract with as-
sistance from Parsley and attorney James Constable.
Greenebaum’s Term Renewed for 2002–2005
Noting the growth and improvements in the journal that
have led to a thriving publication, Publications Committee
chair Shoogo Ueno nominated Ben Greenebaum to con-
tinue for another three-year term as Editor in Chief. Ueno
pointed to Greenebaum’s leadership and dedication in de-
scribing the “superb job” he has been doing along with the
support of the associate editors. The Board approved the
nomination unanimously.
Long-Range Plan Enclosed for Review
During 2002, the Society’s Long-Range Planning Subcommit-
tee chaired by Bruce McLeod revised the BEMS Long-Range
and Strategic Plans, which the Board accepted this year after care-
ful review and evaluation.
Now, the Board hopes that all Society members read these plans
carefully, since they suggest the course of the Society for the next
three to five years. Both are included as enclosures to this news-
letter, and Long-Range Planning Subcommittee members wel-
come members’ comments and suggestions. Send comments ei-
ther to Subcommittee Chair Bruce McLeod at:
[email protected] or President Asher Sheppard at:
[email protected] They will be glad to discuss
the documents at the Annual Meeting in June, as well.
4 The Bioelectromagnetics Society Newsletter March/April 2002
OPINION
The views expressed in this column are those of the contributors
and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editorial staff
or the organizations served by this newsletter. We encourage
contributions which will further a discussion of important issues
to the Society and assist in scientific progress in our area of
interest. Your response to opinions expressed here are welcome.
Dear Editor:
I was surprised by the headline and account of my presen-
tation in February at a BEMS workshop in Washington DC,
which dealt with the Draft Risk Evaluation and Policy
Options document put out for public comment by the Cali-
fornia Department of Health Services. This headline com-
bined with the article implies that I or the California De-
partment of Health Services were “just short” of making
risk management decisions on EMFs. In fact at this point
in the process, the department is not making recommenda-
tions of any kind, neither “just short of recommending regu-
lation’ or anything else. Here is what the draft documents
on our web site (www.dhs.ca.gov/ehib/emf) actually say:
“Calculations suggest that the fraction of all cases of these
conditions for which EMF might be responsible would be
very low. However, if EMFs really contribute to the cause
of these conditions, even these low individual risks, and
the low fractions of cases could be of concern to regula-
tors. Indeed, when deemed real, theoretical risks smaller
that these have triggered regulatory evaluation and some-
times, regulatory control of chemical agents.” (Page 2 of
Risk Evaluation Draft 3)
“Adherents to the “cost/benefit”, “social justice” and “ab-
solute certainty-required” policy frameworks will probably
advocate different courses of action on the basis of these
assessments and analyses. The PUC has administrative pro-
cedures to resolve such differences with regard to power
grid policy. They can use the information that the Califor-
nia EMF Program has gathered with regard to the power
grid in any such deliberations…. DHS will not be making
any recommendations on policy at this time…” (Page 1
Draft Policy Options in the Face of Possible Risk from
Power Frequency Electric and Magnetic Fields)
As the above paragraph indicates, both I as an individual
and our Department recognize that environmental health
policy is formed from many ingredients, only some of
which have to do with risk. There are ethical, economic,
and administrative considerations that play heavily in such
decisions, particularly when there is uncertainty about haz-
ard, its extent and what constitutes dose. I believe that our
program has laid out the ingredients for the PUC and the
An Open Letter to the BEMS Community
Recently, the discussion over new RF standards being de-
veloped by IEEE has offered an opportunity for all inter-
ested people to understand more about the adequacy of the
existing standards, and the complexity of the factors to take
into account in new standard-setting.
The BEMS community may wish to consider more active
involvement in the IEEE and NCRP standard-setting pro-
cesses. Many BEMS members have valuable expertise in
these matters to provide stakeholder oversight. This open
participation in the process will go a long way toward build-
ing confidence and public acceptance of new standards.
Stakeholder participation is acknowledged to be a fun-
damental part of the IEEE standard setting process. To
make sure that the public and decisionmakers at all lev-
els have full confidence in the new standards, the pro-
cess should incorporate more stakeholder participation
and wider scientific review. To ensure that proper con-
sideration has been given to the complete range of sci-
entific information and public health and information
needs, the BEMS community and related interest groups
should take an active role in reviewing this process; in-
cluding the underlying scientific, policy, legal, regula-
tory and public health issues at stake.
Of particular interest is Attachment 8 of the June 2001
Minutes of IEEE. This attachment outlines questions to the
subcommittee members (and their written answers) on fun-
damental issues that affect our ability to know how well
RF exposures may be measured and evaluated for risk with
respect to emerging RF technologies and devices. Non-uni-
form exposures, near-field versus far field exposures, av-
erage and peak SAR exposure limits, and other variables
make standard-setting very challenging if the over-riding
IEEE goal is to identify suitable measurement standards
and limits to protect public health.
Cindy Sage, Sage Associates, Montecito, Calif.
stakeholders to consider and that we are most effective at
this point in time by restricting ourselves to clearly laying
out our best judgements as to the health issues.
Sincerely yours,
Raymond Richard Neutra, MD Dr.PH
Albany, California
The Editors respond: We regret that Dr. Neutra feels
misrepresented by our coverage of the midwinter workshop. It
should be noted, as well, that the BEMS newsletter did not state
that he stopped just short of recommending regulation. It stated
that he “stopped short.” The distinction is an important one.
The phrase we used is intended to emphasize that the speaker
did not recommend regulatory action.
Neutra Says Newsletter Headline Misleading
The Bioelectromagnetics Society Newsletter March/April 2002 5
“Thus the chosen metric failed to confirm the a
priori hypothesis and there the study might have
rested. It had been agreed, however, that the inves-
tigators would be free to evaluate associations with
other exposure metrics and they consequently ex-
amined one of interest to them: namely, the maxi-
mum field encountered during the day.”
DOLL, U.K. NRPB RESPOND TO
EMF-MISCARRIAGE STUDIES
In a commentary dated March 2002, Sir Richard Doll of the
Cancer Research UK Cancer Studies Unit, Oxford, and chair
of the U.K. National Radiological Protection Board’s
(NRPB) Advisory Group on Non-ionising Radiation
(AGNIR), with D. N. M. Coggon, professor of occupational
and environmental medicine, MRC Environmental Epide-
miology Unit, Southampton;
Colin Muirhead of NRPB, and
Anthony J. Swerdlow, professor
of cancer epidemiology at the In-
stitute of Cancer Research, Lon-
don, continue the discussion of
EMF-miscarriage results pub-
lished in papers by Dr. DeKun Li
and Dr. Geraldine Lee in January.
The two investigations of miscar-
riage risk and magnetic field ex-
posure were sponsored by the California Department of
Health Services’ EMF Program, headed by Dr. Raymond
Neutra.
Following are large excerpts from the NRPB commentary,
which is available at: www.nrpb.org/recent_articles/
march_2002/article_3.htm
“The first report by Lee et al. was of a case-control study
conducted within a cohort of some 3400 pregnant women
who were participating in a prospective reproductive health
study. The procedure for selecting women for inclusion in
their study was, however, complex....
“Participation rates were low (51 percent of ‘case’ women
and 55 percent of controls) and, contrary to what was said
in the paper, analysis did suggest a possible element of se-
lection bias in that participant cases were relatively more
likely to live in houses with very high wire configuration
codes (16.1 percent) than non-participant cases (7.3 per-
cent) whereas this was not so in the controls, the corre-
sponding percentages being 13.2 percent and 11.7 percent.
“Measurements were made during a day of ‘usual activity’
approximately 30 weeks after the reported last menstrual
period. Of the five measures hypothesized to be associated
with miscarriage, three were very weakly associated or not
associated.... Two, however, were associated (maximum
exposure in 24 hours >3.5 µT, RR 2.3, 95 percent CI 1.2-
4.4; rate-of-change metric (a measure that assesses the ab-
solute change in field levels between successive sample
measurements) > or equal to 0.094 µT, RR 3.1, 95 percent
CI 1.6-6.0).
“In an effort to validate the use of measurements made at 30
weeks’ gestation, use was made of the results obtained in the
small subgroup for whom it had also been possible to make
measurements at 12 weeks. Data were available for 155 pairs.
The correlations were moderately good for the 24 hour time
weighted average (0.64) but very poor for the maximum level
(0.09) and the rate of change metric (0.19).
“In view of the poor correlation between the 12 and 30
week findings for the two measures that suggested a pos-
sible association between magnetic field exposure at 30
weeks and previous miscar-
riage and the relatively good
correlation for the one mea-
sure that failed to suggest an
association at 30 weeks, the
results of this study, based on
measurements made well af-
ter miscarriage had occurred,
cannot be considered to pro-
vide any serious evidence of
a hazard from exposure to magnetic fields during preg-
nancy.
“The second report by Li et al. was of a cohort study of
969 primiparous women who wore an EMDEX-II meter
for 24 hours immediately after having been interviewed,
not more than 15 weeks after they had become pregnant.
Of the 159 that miscarried (16.4 percent of the participants)
more than half had already done so before they were inter-
viewed, 78 (8.0 percent) before the initial approach and 19
(1.9 percent) after having given consent but before their
interview. Unlike standard cohort studies, there was, there-
fore, some possibility of bias in the selection of women, as
only 39 percent of the potentially eligible women responded
to the interview and had their exposure measured.
“The contract for the study required the risk to be estimated
for 24 hour time weighted average exposures of 0.3 µT or
more. The results gave a relative risk for such women of
1.2 with 95 percent CI 0.7-2.2. Thus the chosen metric
failed to confirm the a priori hypothesis and there the study
might have rested. It had been agreed, however, that the
investigators would be free to evaluate associations with
other exposure metrics and they consequently examined
one of interest to them: namely, the maximum field encoun-
tered during the day. Examination of the results by deciles
of maximum magnetic field showed a progressive increase
in miscarriage rate over the first four deciles and a relatively
stable rate thereafter. They chose, a posteriori, 1.6 µT, the
upper limit of the lowest quartile, as the breakpoint and found
a relative risk of 1.8 for maximum exposures at and above
this level, without, however, there being any progressive
continued in NRPB, page 7
6 The Bioelectromagnetics Society Newsletter March/April 2002
IEEE ELF DRAFT STANDARD
READY TO BALLOT
Kent Jaffa, chair of Subcommittee 3 (SC3) of the Institute
of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Interna-
tional Committee on Electromagnetic Safety (ICES), an-
nounced in April that the subcommittee has drafted an elec-
tric and magnetic field exposure standard for 0 to 3 kHz
that will soon be formally balloted by IEEE. The standard
is now ready for formal IEEE balloting by ICES, also
known as Standards Coordinating Committee 28.
Timing for a draft to become an IEEE standard depends upon
the nature and number of comments received during the
ICES ballot and later from the IEEE Standards Board. “It is,
however, anticipated that the standard could be approved
sometime in the last quarter of this year,” said Jaffa.
The draft standard (PC95.6, formerly P1555) is “a signifi-
cant scientific advancement in ELF standards. The basic
restrictions are based on in situ electric fields, except at 0
Hz. These fields are the fundamental force for
electrostimulation effects on which ELF standards are cur-
rently based, and limits can be more accurately determined
with in situ electric fields compared to induced currents.
The standard incorporates the application of probability dis-
tribution factors as well as safety factors.”
Also, the basic restrictions are based upon the type of ex-
posed tissue. “For example, at power frequency, lower lim-
its based on synapse stimulation are applied to the head while
higher limits based on nerve stimulation are applied to other
parts of the body where synapse stimulation is not a factor.
The draft standard also includes an extensive rationale sec-
tion so that the rationale of the standard is transparent.” Ear-
lier comments have already been incorporated into the
draft, plus changes that coordinate it with C95.1.
Schedule Change for IEEE’s June Meetings
In a departure from usual, IEEE SCC28 committee meet-
ings will be held AFTER the BEMS annual meeting in
June, not before. ICES Chair Eleanor Adair has announced
the subcommittee and COMAR schedule as follows:
Thursday, 27 June: SC-1 meeting 1– 5 p.m.
Thursday, 27 June: COMAR 7–11 p.m.
Friday, 28 June: SC-3 meeting 8 a.m. – 12 noon
Friday, 28 June: SC-2 meeting 1 – 5 p.m.
Friday, 28 June: SC-5 meeting 7 – 11 p.m.
Saturday, 29 June: SC-4 meeting 8 a.m. – 12 noon
and 1 – 5 p.m.
Sunday, 30 June: ICES-SCC28 8 a.m. – 12 noon
On January 10 and 11, 22 members of the Subcommittee 4
Standard Revision Working Group of the IEEE International
Committee on Electromagnetic Safety (ICES)—formerly
known as SCC-28 SC4— met in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Those
present agreed on a number of issues regarding standard re-
vision, “based on our current understanding and pending the
conclusion of the review and white paper process.” Then at
a January 19 SC4 meeting in San Antonio, Texas, members
made a few modifications to the following agreements:
1. The RF safety standard should be based on science.
2. RF safety standard revision should be derived from peer-
reviewed publications and documents that are reviewed by
the SC4.
3. The adverse effect level remains at 4 W/kg subject to
revision following completion of the literature evaluation
and white papers.
4. The maximum exposure limits should be based on es-
tablished adverse effects after inclusion of an appropriate
safety factor(s).
5. Safety factor(s) should consider uncertainties in the biologi-
cal database (e.g., measurements, environmental conditions,
exposure duration, individual variability, and other factors.)
6. Non-thermal RF biological effects have not been estab-
lished and none of the reported non-thermal effects are
proven adverse to health (does not apply to electro-stimula-
tion). Thermal effect is the only established adverse effect.
7. The microwave hearing effect is not adverse and should
not be used for setting the peak power limit.
8. The shape and size of the averaging volume and the peak
SAR limit are still to be determined. The important end
point is the temperature change.
9. RF standard should be harmonized with other interna-
tional standards to the extent where scientifically defensible.
10. Rationales must be documented for all changes rela-
tive to the current standard
11. The editorial committee will add in the informative sec-
tion a paragraph dealing with potentially sensitive subpopu-
lations, such as children.
12. Reconsider the two-tier approach (whole body average
SAR 0.4 and 0.08 W/kg), the peak SAR value and the av-
eraging volume.
The 5th Revision Working Group members met on April 8
and 9 at the U.S. Federal Communications Commission to
discuss more revision details. A revised draft will be pre-
sented to the SC4 members for discussion at the June IEEE
ICES meeting in Québec City.
–C.K. Chou
IEEE / ICES SCC-28 SC4 REPORT
The Bioelectromagnetics Society Newsletter March/April 2002 7
NRPB continued from page 5
increase with still higher exposures. Further analyses found
that the RR at this level was higher with gestational ages
less than 10 weeks at 2.2 (when a high proportion of the
miscarriages would have occurred before the women were
interviewed) and was higher (3.1) in a sub-population of
specially susceptible women (with a history of sub-fertility
or multiple miscarriages). A check on confounding with
more than 30 other known or suspected risk factors for
miscarriage barely altered the estimates.
“Superficially, this paper provides somewhat stronger evi-
dence for an effect than the first; but it has severe limita-
tions. Firstly, the parameter that provided evidence of a
risk was not one chosen a priori by the funders, though
(for unknown reasons) it had been of special interest to the
investigators. Secondly, the breakpoint leaves three-quar-
ters of the observations above it and there is no evidence of
progressive increase in risk with higher levels. Thirdly, the
study is not a pure cohort study as more than half the mis-
carriages (and all those at all strongly related to maximum
field exposure) occurred before the measurements were
made, the compliance rate was low and the possibility of
selection bias is not excluded.
“Neither study provides worthwhile evidence of an in-
creased risk of miscarriage with exposure to above aver-
age magnetic fields and neither justifies regulatory action.
It is arguable whether or not they even justify further in-
vestigation of the possibility, which would not be easy to
carry out in such a way as to obtain a definitive answer. If
public concern requires further research of this sort to be
conducted, it would be worthwhile to finance it only if a
large cohort of (say) 2000 women could both be inter-
viewed and have measurements made of their exposure
over a period of at least 24 hours less than 8 weeks after
their last menstrual period and have repeat measurements
made on at least two further occasions within the next 8
weeks to determine the consistency of the exposures
throughout early pregnancy.”
And last May, the U.S. General Accounting Office announced
that the U.S. National Toxicology Program (NTP), an interagency
program headquartered at NIH, is planning a series of long-term
animal studies to look at the effects of exposure to RF- mobile
phone emissions.
In a Fact Sheet, NTP reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Ad-
ministration (FDA) nominated radio-frequency radiation emis-
sions of wireless communication devices to the NTP for toxicol-
ogy and carcinogenicity testing. “The NTP has carefully
evaluated the efforts already underway and concluded that while
these efforts have an excellent probability of producing high
quality research results, additional studies may be warranted to
more clearly define any potential health hazard to the U.S. popu-
lation,” the Fact Sheet states. “Because of the technical com-
plexity of such studies, NTP staff are working with RFR experts
from the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The
NTP is testing the feasibility of using various RFR exposure sys-
tems to conduct lifetime studies in laboratory animals that would
be most relevant for evaluating human cancer risk.”
For more information on NTP’s plans, contact: Dr. Ron Melnick,
NIEHS, P.O. Box 12233, MD B3-08, Research Triangle Park,
NC, 27709; Phone: 919/541-4142, E-mail:
Among recent awards by the CCAM is one to Jeremy Tuttle,
professor of neuroscience at the University of Virginia, Char-
lotte, for his project, “Therapeutic Effect of EMFs on Neural
Processes / Functions.” According to Tuttle’s abstract, his work
will “examine the effect of therapeutic magnetic fields upon spe-
cific neural processes and functions, in the effort to outline po-
tential biosensors for EMFs in the nervous system.” Results of
exploratory in vitro experiments will “outline likely basic bio-
logical processes capable of responding to EMF with a desirable
therapeutic effect.” The project began in June 2000 and is sched-
uled to be complete by March 31, 2005.
Tuttle noted that “despite considerable effort, it is still not clear
how biological systems might be responding to therapeutically
applied EMFs. The development and refinement of this poten-
tial new mode of therapy will be advanced considerably by a
more explicit understanding of what basic biological processes
are responsible for the desired therapeutic effects.
Another grant of interest to the bioelectromagnetics commu-
nity was awarded to Michael Yost of the University of Wash-
ington, Seattle, by the U.S. National Institute for Occupa-
tional Safety and Health (NIOSH) for research on “RF
Exposure and Melatonin Levels in Heat-Sealer Workers.”
Yost and colleagues began in June 2000 monitoring
changes in melatonin in a large population of
radiofrequency (RF) heat sealer operators.
“This study will be the first to use state-of-the-art full-
shift personal monitoring to document the diverse expo-
sures to RF and power-frequency EMFs in this worker
population. This also will be the first study to examine
biomarkers in response to RF fields,” wrote Yost and col-
leagues in their abstract. Data collection is expected to be
complete next month, in May 2002.
WILL THE U.S. NIH BE FUNDING
MORE EMF RESEARCH?
Recently we asked Dr. Michael Marron, director of the U.S.
National Institutes of Health (NIH) Division of Biomedical
Technology, Bethesda, Md., whether NIH will be sponsoring
research projects on electric and magnetic field health effects,
either in the ELF or RF range. Marron responded that EMF
research activity has dropped to very low levels at the U.S. Na-
tional Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). He
pointed out that the U.S. National Center for Complementary
& Alternative Medicine (CCAM) has taken a recent interest in
EMF research, however.
8 The Bioelectromagnetics Society Newsletter March/April 2002
BEMS THANKS ITS SPONSORS
The Bioelectromagnetics Society thanks its 2002 Sustaining
Members, Bruce Simon, EBI, L.P.; John Osepchuk, Full Spec-
trum Consulting; Kent Jaffa, PacifiCorp; and the following
for their support in 2002:
The California Department of Health Services (DHS) EMF
Program. Between 1993 and 2002 DHS sponsored an education
and policy project relevant research on EMF from the powergrid
and appliances. Products of this program, including policy analyses
and a risk evaluation can be found at www.dhs.ca.gov/ehib/emf
Canadian Institutes Of Health Research, Institute of Neuro-
sciences, Mental Health & Addiction, supports research to en-
hance mental health, neurological health, vision, hearing, and cog-
nitive functioning and to reduce the burden of related disorders.
Canadian Institutes Of Health Research, Institute Of Population
& Public Health, supports research into the complex interactions
(biological, social, cultural, and environmental) which determine the
health of individuals, communities, and global populations; and into
the application of that knowledge to improve the health of both popu-
lations and individuals.
Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association
(CTIA) is the international organization representing over 150
wireless carriers, manufacturers of wireless phone equipment and
developers and providers of wireless internet services. CTIA rep-
resents the wireless phone industry on all key public policies
affecting the industry before federal regulatory agencies and the
administration. Jo-Anne Basile is Vice President for External and
Industry Relations.
Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA),
the voice of the wireless industry in Canada, maintains visibility
with its members, the media, key government and regulatory offi-
cials and the general public.
EBI, L. P., leads the market in electrical stimulation and external
fixation and is a growing presence in the spinal, bracing and
softgoods markets. They offer implantable direct current and
noninvasive electromagnetic and capacitive coupling bone growth
stimulators, several innovative spinal fixation products, allograft
and synthetic bone substitutes and external fixation products.
EMF Therapeutics, Chattanooga, Tenn., was formed in 1996 to
research, develop and market devices that apply electromagnetic
fields and magnetic fields generated by permanent magnets for
therapeutic uses.
EPRI, Palo Alto, Calif., was established in 1973 as a center for
public interest energy and environmental research. EPRI’s col-
laborative science and technology development program now
spans nearly every area of power generation, delivery and use.
Forschungsgemeinschaft Funk E.V. (FGF), the Research As-
sociation for Radio Applications, is an independent non-profit
association that pursues the matter of electromagnetic fields and
their biological effects on humans and the environment.
GSM Association is the world’s leading wireless industry rep-
resentative body, with more than 600 second and third generation
wireless network operators and key manufacturers and suppliers
Things to Do in Québec City, from page 1
Another source of whale watching information can be
found at: www.Whales-online.net/indexe.html It is a ref-
erence and news site dedicated to education for the conser-
vation of whales of the St. Lawrence and their natural habi-
tat. They offer online reports about whale sitings; in early
April they reported that the crew of the Tadoussac-Baie-
Sainte-Catherine ferry spotted their first beluga of the sea-
son in the Saguenay.
Museums and Science Centers
The Cosmodôme Space Science Centre invites visitors to
plunge into an exciting space adventure, the Cosmodôme
experience. This first Canadian complex entirely dedicated
to the conquest of space offers space experiences ranging
from half-day to a whole week is located in nearby Laval.
Phone (450) 978-3600.
Speaking of space, near Québec City one can visit the
Charlevoix Crater, site of a meteorite that smashed into
Earth about 350 million years ago. The crater is 34 miles
across, and much of the town of Charlevoix is located
within the imprint, surrounded by a ring of jagged moun-
tain peaks. In the center, Mont des Eboulements offers a
lookout. Many French- and some English-language tours
are available at (418) 435-6275.
Québec City has numerous museums, including two that
are the “guiding lights” of cultural life in the capital, the
Musée de la Civilisation and the Musée du Québec, with
the greatest collection of Québec art dating from the 17th
century to today.
People interested in local history will discover interesting
museums and interpretation centers presenting a panorama
of the history of the region and moments in the lives of great
people from there. The province features a new kind of mu-
seum, as well, the “economuseum.” These blend a museum
approach with real working examples of workshops where
traditional crafts and techniques are practiced. There are
nearly 30 of these sites in Québec, devoted to everything
from handmade paper, wooden schooners, cheese,
blacksmithing, stained glass, violin-making, bookbinding,
breadmaking and flours, hand-carved signs, beer and whisky.
For more information, see: www.economusees.com/fichiers/
anglais/RESEAU/reseau.htm
A fine example of the economuseum is the Musée de
l’Abeille, the Museum of the Honeybee. On Rt. 138 about
20 minutes east of Québec City in the village of Château
Richer, this working apiary was founded by five beekeep-
ers. Their displays and demonstrations outline the history
of the honeybee in Canada. They offer a chance to taste six
see Things to Do in Québec, page 9
The Bioelectromagnetics Society Newsletter March/April 2002 9
ATTEND JUNE AFRL WORKSHOP
While at the BEMS annual meeting in Québec City, plan
to attend the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL)
Workshop on Sunday, June 23 from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in
the 3rd floor Borduas Ballroom. The topic of this event,
organized and moderated by Michael R. Murphy, U.S. Air
Force Research Laboratory, San Antonio, will be “Setting
a Science-Based Standard for Safe Human Exposure to RF
Electromagnetic Fields: A Tribute to Dr. Eleanor R. Adair.”
Adair, Senior Scientist Emeritus of the US Air Force
Research Laboratory, recently assumed leadership of the
IEEE International Committee on Electromagnetic
Safety (ICES). In tribute to her service to her country
and to her 50 years of scientific research and standard
setting, the 2002 Air Force Workshop will present a se-
ries of talks on the bioeffects of RF EMF.
Material to be covered is being considered by ICES Sub-
committee 4 in the development of an updated edition of
Standard C95.1 “IEEE Standard for Safety Levels with Re-
spect to Human Exposure to Radio Frequency Electromag-
netic Fields, 3 kHz to 300 GHz.” Papers will address ef-
fects on behavior, cognition, thermoregulation, cancer, life
span, the eyes, the nervous system, and the developing fe-
tus, among other topics. Scheduled speakers are Eleanor
Adair, David Black, C.K. Chou, John D’Andrea, Joe El-
der, Linda Erdreich, Patrick Mason, Martin Meltz, James
Merritt, Michael Murphy, and John Osepchuk. This is an
open forum and everyone is invited to participate. For more
information, contact Murphy at the U.S. AFRL, Phone: +1
(210) 536-4833; FAX: +1 (210) 536-3977 or e-mail:
to the wireless industry. It has become the world’s leading, fast-
est growing mobile platform spanning more than 170 countries
and accounting for approximately 70 percent of the total digital
wireless market today. The GSM Association offers a full range
of business and technical services to members. Jack Rowley is
Director of Environmental Affairs.
Health Canada, Consumer & Radiation Protection Bureau,
is concerned with radiation risks to humans, for example
from medical and industrial X-ray equipment, lasers, ultra-
violet radiation from the sun, microwave ovens, airport noise
and power lines and radon in homes.
The Lawson Health Research Institute in London, Ontario,
Canada, is the research arm of London Health Sciences Centre
and St. Joseph’s Health Care London. LHRI is one of the three
largest hospital-based research institutes in Canada attracting
almost $50 million each year in research funding. More than 300
investigators investigate disease and ways to detect, prevent, and
treat illness. David Hill is Scientific Director of LHRI, and Joe
Gilbert is Chief Administrative Officer.
Mobile Manufacturers Forum (MMF) is an international asso-
ciation of radio equipment manufacturers whose members include
Alcatel, Ericsson, Mitsubishi Electric, Motorola, Nokia, Panasonic,
Philips, Sagem, Siemens, and Sony Ericsson. MMF was formed
in 1998 to jointly fund key research projects, as well as to cooper-
ate on standards, regulatory issues and communications activities
concerning mobile phones, base stations and health. Michael
Milligan is MMF Secretary General.
Orthofix is a worldwide orthopedic designer, manufacturer and
distributor. At its McKinney Texas facility, bone growth stimula-
tors are designed and manufactured for healing non-unions and as
an adjunct to spinal fusion surgery. Orthofix supports basic mecha-
nistic research and technology development. John Tepper is Di-
rector of Product Development Engineering.
Orthologic Corp. focuses on the orthopedic field, providing prod-
ucts for spine and fracture repair. Located in Tempe, Arizona, USA,
develops, manufactures, and distributes products that help physi-
cians and hospitals improve the quality of life for their patients.
Orthologic is committed to providing technologically advanced,
superior products to its customers at affordable costs. James Ryaby
is Vice President of Research and Clinical Affairs and a BEMS
member since 1988.
Svensk Energi/Swedenergy is a trade association responsible
for safeguarding the interests of its 194 member companies in
the fields of electricity production, distribution and sales. Mem-
bers have a common mission—to be stable, reliable players in
the Swedish energy market.
U.S. Air Force Research Lab, Brooks Air Force Base is one of
the largest centers for the study of the effects of RFR on humans
and their environment.
Utility Companies—Dairyland Power Cooperative, Chuck Th-
ompson; Hydro Quebec, Daniel Goulet; Otter Tail Power Com-
pany, Fergus Falls, Minn.
The World Health Organization’s International EMF Project
was established in 1996. Leeka Kheifets is the Head of the Ra-
diation Programme.
kinds of honey and seven flavors of mead, the wine made
from fermented honey and aged in oak casks. Hour-long
“bee safaris” are offered daily in the summer—an oppor-
tunity to watch keepers handle hives with 60,000 bees each.
For more information call (418) 824-4411 or see the
Website at: www.musee-abeille.com
Finally, the Musée des Augustines may be found in old
Québec City at #32 rue Charlevoix, at the back of Hotel-
Dieu Hospital. It tells the history of Augustine nuns who
arrived from Dieppe, France, in 1639 and established the
Hotel-Dieu Hospital. Musée des Augustines recreates the
period in exhibits of artwork, clothing, furniture, and reli-
gious artifacts. The medical instrument collection is par-
ticularly notable. Augustine nuns and villagers hid in the
hospital cellar from British bombardments in the 1600s,
where cannon balls that had come through the hospital walls
may still be seen on the floor.
Things to Do in Québec,continued from page 1
10 The Bioelectromagnetics Society Newsletter March/April 2002
“Emission levels from mobile phone
masts were at least several hundred
times below agreed international
levels...”
U.K. RADIO COMMUNICATIONS
AGENCY STUDIES RF LEVELS
The Financial Times of London reported in March that
“health concerns about mobile phone masts were allayed”
with publication of a new national study on emission lev-
els released by the U.K. Radio Communications Agency
(RCA), a division of the federal government Department
of Trade and Industry.
The RCA report “showed that emission levels from mobile
phone masts were at least several hundred times below
agreed international levels,” the
newspaper reported. RCA’s study
measured radio-frequency fields
around 100 mobile phone stations
located at or near schools in the
U.K. In some cases, emissions
were many thousand times below
international exposure guidelines.
The U.K. government plans more
testing in 2002 but RCA will also move beyond schools to
carry out on measurements at hospitals and similar institu-
tions, the report added. The newspaper cited evidence that
“growing concerns related to so-called e-smog, a term used
to describe the electronic emissions from mobile phone
infrastructure,” are being expressed in the U.K.
While many observers hope that the RCA report helps to
calm public concern over RF safety and health issues, mo-
bile phone operators have begun building more towers in
order to introduce third-generation services. “Concerns about
health and the unsightliness of masts are unlikely to go away,
forcing mobile operators to work closely with local commu-
nities when building their networks,” according to the Times.
RCA is responsible for the management of the non-mili-
tary radio spectrum in the UK, which involves interna-
tional representation, commissioning research, allocating
spectrum and licensing its use, and keeping the radio spec-
trum clean. RCA carries out a program of research con-
tracts totaling more than 3 million British pounds annu-
ally “to underpin developments in the utilisation of the
radio spectrum.”
RCA funds propagation studies, work on electromagnetic
compatibility issues (EMC), emerging technology, the
use of mathematical modeling in frequency assignment,
and the development of spectrum sharing models. RCA
set up a Radio Research Advisory Committee in 2000,
chaired by Peter Kiddle, OBE, to oversee the agency’s
research program.
European Union regulations limit electronic emissions by
restricting the power a base station can use. In the Finan-
cial Times, Douglas Alexander, U.K. minister for E-Com-
merce, is quoted as saying, “Building confidence is essen-
tial to building a strong future for the (mobile phone) in-
dustry. The mobile phone industry has the responsibility
to work closely with communities when putting up masts
and base stations. They should work together to lessen any
impact on communities.”
More information on measurement techniques and other
details is available directly from the RCA on the Web at:
www.radio.gov.uk/
Also in March, the RCA published its policy statement in
response to the con-
sultation paper,
“Spectrum for
TETRA Mobile Ser-
vices in the 872–876
MHz and 917–921
MHz Bands,” origi-
nally published in
August 2001. That
report is available on
the Web at: www.radio.gov.uk/topics/pmc/consult/tetra08-
2001.doc The consultation focused on four main issues:
• Allocating 2 x 4 MHz of spectrum in the 900 MHz
band to Dolphin for TETRA 2
• Maintaining 2 x 1 MHz of spectrum in the 900 MHz
band for private TETRA
• Considering re-use of TETRA 2 spectrum outside
major conurbations for private TETRA applications
• Adopting CEPT recommendations for guard bands
The policy statement represents a summary of the open
comments received, the RCA reaction and subsequent
policy decisions. It is available on the RCA website at:
www.radio.gov.uk/topics/pmc/consult/tetra3/index.htm
SEEKING PHOTOS FOR
SOCIETY HISTORY PROJECT
The Bioelectromagnetics Society’s History Committee
plans to produce a booklet in the next few months to com-
memorate the Society’s 25th anniversary. The booklet will
be available at the June 2003 annual meeting. We are look-
ing for pictures to help illustrate our growth from early
days into an international, multi-faceted scientific Society.
Please send pictures with a brief statement of permission
to reproduce them in the anniversary publication to the
Society office. They will be scanned and returned to you.
An impartial panel will select photos; we regret that we
cannot guarantee that all will appear in the publication.
Thank you very much for your help.
– Carl Blackman
The Bioelectromagnetics Society Newsletter March/April 2002 11
CALENDAR
! NOTE DATE CHANGE ! May 25, 2002. Abstract
deadline for the 2nd Workshop on Biological Effects
of EMFs. Rhodes, GREECE. See Oct. 7–12, 2002.
June 6–7, 2002. 7th International Advisory Committee
(IAC) Meeting on Electromagnetic Fields. World Health
Organization Headquarters, Geneva. IAC members only.
June 16–21, 2002. IEEE APS International Symposium and
USNC/URSI National Radio Science Meeting. San Antonio
Texas Hyatt Regency Hotel. Contact: Krys Michalski, Dept. of
Elec. Engr., Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843;
(979) 845 5203; FAX: (979) 845-6259. Email: [email protected]
or www.ieeeaps.org/2002APSURSI
June 23–27, 2002. The Bioelectromagnetics Society 24th
Annual Meeting: Loews le Concorde Hotel, Québec City,
Québec, CANADA. Reservations: (418) 647-2222. Program
info contact: The Bioelectromagnetics Society, 2412 Cobble-
stone Way, Frederick, MD 21702. (301) 663-4252; FAX:
(301) 694-4948. Email: [email protected] or see:
www.bioelectromagnetics.org
July 14–18, 2002. 6th World Multi Conference on
Systemics, Cybernetics and Informatics, SCI 2002,
Sheraton World, Orlando, Fla. Organized by the Interna-
tional Institute of Informatics and Systemics. Topics in-
clude mobile/wireless computing; communication systems
and networks; signal processing; SCI in biology and medi-
cine, etc. Details at: www.iiis.org/sci2002/ or contact Prof.
Nagib Callaos at: ncallaos@ callaos.com or Conference
Secretariat at: scio98@ cantv.net Tel/Fax: +1 (407) 856-
6274; VENEZUELA Tel/Fax: +58 (212) 962-1519.
August 17–24, 2002. International Union of Radio Sci-
ence (URSI) 2002; 27th Triennial General Assembly of
the International Union of Radio Science. Contact: Dr.ir.
Leon P.J. Kamp, Dept. of Applied Physics, Eindhoven Uni-
versity of Technology, P.O. Box 513, NL-5600 MB
Eindhoven, THE NETHERLANDS. Phone: +31 40 247
4292; FAX: + 31 40 2445253. E-mail [email protected] or
see: www.URSI-GA2002.nl
September 10–13, 2002. 9th International Conference
on Mathematical Methods in Electromagnetic Theory.
Kiev Polytechnic Institute, UKRAINE. Conference orga-
nized by IEEE, Ukraine National Academy of Sciences,
Ukraine URSI Commission B and others. Contact Prof.
Eldar I Veliev, Dept. of Computational Electromagnetics,
IRE NASU, UL Proskury 12, Kharkov 61085, UKRAINE.
Tel. +380 572 448 595; FAX: +380 572 44 1105. E-mail:
[email protected] or see: [email protected]
ELECTROMAGNETIC
ENVIRONMENTS AND HEALTH
British universities at Reading and Bristol have organized a
two-day conference entitled “Electromagnetic environments
and health in buildings,” May 16 and 17th at The Royal Col-
lege of Physicians, Regent’s Park, London. Derek Clements-
Croome, University of Reading, is chair. Advisory panel mem-
bers are Peter Grainger, University of Bristol; Anne Silk,
Electromagnetic Biocompatibility Association, and Cyril
Smith, University of Salford.
The organizers note that although theirs is potentially an emo-
tional topic, “everyone agrees that there needs to be further
research and dissemination of knowledge. We are inviting
some of the leading researchers from America, Scandinavia
and other parts of the world to contribute and assess the latest
state of knowledge and to plan a way forward into the future.”
Clements-Croome will open with remarks on health is-
sues in the office workplace. Ross Adey, Loma Linda Uni-
versity, Calif., will discuss the evidence for nonthermal
electromagnetic bioeffects, followed by Cyril Smith on
effects of EMF in the living environment. Andrew Marvin,
University of York, will outline naturally occurring and
human-made electromagnetic environments.
Other speakers include Denis Henshaw, University of Bris-
tol, on health effects of high-voltage power lines; Barry
Michael, Gray Laboratory Cancer Research Trust, on effects
of 50-Hz EMF on mammalian cells in culture, and Jeffrey
Hand, Hammersmith Hospital, on EMF interactions with
the human body. Olle Johansson, Karolinska Institute, Swe-
den, will speak on screen dermatitis and electrosensitivity.
Vladimir Binhi, Russian Academy of Sciences, will speak
on “Theoretical and Experimental Evidence where Present
Safety Standards Conflict with Reality,” and Alan Preece,
University of Bristol, will discuss effects of mobile phones
on human cognitive functions.
On the second day, Zenon Sienkiewicz of the U.K. Na-
tional Radiological Protection Board will discuss “Expo-
sure Guidelines to Electromagnetic Fields and Radiation -
Past, Present and Future” and Sakari Lang of the Nokia
Research Centre, Finland, will talk about “Research on
Mobile Phones and Health.”
Other speakers include Gerard Hyland, International Insti-
tute of Biophysics, Germany; Philip Chadwick, Microwave
Consultants Ltd.; Alasdair Phillips, UK Powerwatch, and
Jean Monro, Breakspear Hospital.
For information, contact Jill Skinner, Abacus Commu-
nications, Pool House, South Hill, Chislehurst,, U.K.
BR7 5EF. Tel: +41 020 8295 2951 FAX: +41 020 8467
0145 E-mail: [email protected]
THE BIOELECTROMAGNETICS SOCIETY2412 COBBLESTONE WAY
FREDERICK, MD 21702-2626
USA
165
FIRST CLASSU.S. POSTAGE
PAIDFREDERICK, MDPERMIT NO. 269
! NOTE DATE CHANGE! September 17–25, 2002. Third
International Conference on EMF and Human Health. Mos-
cow and St. Petersburg, RUSSIA. In cooperation with the WHO
International EMF Project and others, a conference on inter-
action mechanisms of EMF, health effects, in vivo and in vitro
studies, mobile communication and standards harmonization
in Eastern Europe. Contact Prof. Yuri Grigoriev, Tel: +7 95
190-5421; E-mail: [email protected] or in St. Petersburg,
Dr. Valentina Nikitina, Tel: +7 (812) 277 53- 34. E-mail:
[email protected] or see: www.pole.com.ru/conf2002
October 7–12, 2002. 2nd Workshop on Biological Effects of
EMF. Rhodes, GREECE. The Aldemar Paradise Royal Mare Ho-
tel. Sessions organized by Shoogo Ueno, Betty Sisken, Ben
Greenebaum, Michael McLean, Marko Markov, Andre Pakhomov,
Dariusz Leszczynski, Reba Goodman, Sianette Kwee, D. Weisbrot,
Jules Youbicier-Simo, Y. Touitou. Contact Ms. Kety Apostolou:
[email protected] or see: http://imm.demokritos.gr
or: www.uoi.gr/conf_sem/bioeffects
Oct. 21–27, 2002. World Health Organization and U.S. Air
Force Asia Pacific EMF Conference. Phuket Arcadia Beach
Resort, Thailand. Contact: B. Jon Klauenberg, NATO Standard-
ization Agency, General Medical Working Group, Radio and
Radar Radiation Hazards Working Group, Defense Standardiza-
tion Program, Lead Standardization Activity (LSA),
Radiofrequency Exposure Safety to Personnel (REPS). Tel. +1
(210) 536 4837; FAX +1 (210) 536 3977. E-mail:
October 29-31, 2002. WHO Working Group on EMF
Standards Harmonization in China. Watch for details at:
www.who.int/peh-emf/meetings.htm
Oct. 28–Nov. 1, 2002. WHO Workshop on finalizing the
framework for harmonized EMF standards. Guilin,
Guangxi, China. By invitation only.
April 2003. Dates to be announced. Conference on bioeffects
of electromagnetic fields. Guilin, CHINA. For more informa-
tion, contact Prof. Zhengping Xu, director of China’s bioelec-
tromagnetics research group, at: [email protected]
June 22–26, 2003. BEMS 25th Annual Meeting, Outrigger
Wailea Resort, Maui, Hawaii. +1 (808) 874-7881 or in the U.S.,
(800) 292-4532; FAX: (808) 874-8176. Government per diem
$155. includes tax. 22 oceanfront acres on Wailea Beach, “the
number one beach in the nation,” plus 54 holes of champion-
ship golf and 11 tennis courts, spa & fitness center. More infor-
mation at: www.outrigger.com/details/property.asp?code=owr
May 23–28, 2004. IRPA International Congress, Madrid,
SPAIN. Congress organized by the Sociedad Española de
Protección Radiológica (Spanish Radiation Protection Society).
Contact: Secretariat, Edicomplet, Sociedad Española de
Protección Radiológica, Capitán Haya, 60, 10, E-28020 Madrid,
SPAIN. Tel. +34 917 499 517. FAX: +34 917 499 503. E-mail:
[email protected] or www.sepr.es