ABSTRACT

Radiofrequency-electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs) and extremely low frequency (ELF)-magnetic fields have been classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B) on the basis of limited evidence (IARC 2002; Baan et al. 2011). Methodological limitations in epidemiological research and the absence of established biological mechanisms for either RF-EMFs or ELF-MFs to support causal relationships make it difficult to reach firm conclusions. For intermediate frequency (IF)-electromagnetic fields, data on health effects are sparse and too limited for risk assessment (SCENIHR 2009). Without established mechanisms to direct efforts to health endpoints of most relevance for investigation, what is driving continuing research in EMF epidemiology? The one certainty in this research field is that there is significant public concern regarding EMF and potential human health effects. In a survey published in 2010, 46% of the public expressed concern about the potential health risks of EMFs, with more than two-thirds of people believing that their health is affected to some extent by high-voltage power lines, mobile phone masts, and mobile phone handsets, and with 35%, 33%, and 26%, respectively, believing that these EMF sources affect their health to a large extent (Eurobarometer 2010). Is  it legitimate for this public concern to drive environmental epidemiological research? The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences defines environmental public health as “the science of conducting and translating research into action to address environmental exposures and health risks of concern to the public” (NIEHS 2012). Research can

CONTENTS

Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 327 What Challenges Does Future EMF Epidemiology Face? .................................................... 328

Lack of Established Biological Mechanisms ....................................................................... 328 Very Low, Ubiquitous, Whole-Body Exposures................................................................. 329 Rapid Changes in Technology and Exposure-Related User Behavior ........................... 329 Multiple Simultaneous and/or Correlated EMF Exposures ............................................330

New Approaches in Future EMF Epidemiology ....................................................................330 What Specific Research Questions Should Future EMF Epidemiology Address? ............ 332