2013-06-12-世界卫生组织-EMF_Project_-_International_Advisory_Committee_2013_8页_297kb

Summary of the 18th International Advisory Committee Meeting on the International EMF Project

Meeting Overview

The 18th International Advisory Committee (IAC) meeting for the International EMF Project took place from June 6-7, 2013, in Maisons-Alfort, France, hosted by ANSES. The meeting was opened by Emilie van Deventer, who welcomed participants and elected Lindsay Martin (ARPANSA, Australia) as chair and Simon Mann (PHE, UK) as vice chair. The agenda was approved, and updates from various international organizations were discussed, focusing on EMF research, policy, and funding.

Key Topics

Project Update and Funding

• The EMF Project involves over 60 countries and is funded entirely by extra-budgetary contributions from governments and institutions, with sufficient funds until spring 2014. ARPANSA and BfS serve as WHO collaborating centers, while ANSES is under discussion.
• Core group members are developing the first draft of the RF Health Risk Assessment, prioritizing research from the recently published RF research agenda and policy documents.

Research Updates

• Laboratory Studies: Recent work on EMF across the spectrum focuses on movement effects for static fields and childhood leukemia for ELF fields. Positive findings are generally at field levels >1 mT. Coordination of global research programs is deemed inadequate.
• Epidemiology: No definitive answers on childhood leukemia from recent studies were found. Mobile phone and base station cancer studies showed no clear evidence of association, with methodological weaknesses noted.

International Organization Reports

• WHO: Updates included progress on the Environmental Health Criteria (EHC) monograph on RF fields, with public consultation planned. The EMF Policy Database collected 27 responses, and Fact Sheets are under review, with a new template restricting length.
• EC: Work covered risk assessment and communication, with updates on the EMF Directive and recommendations. Spending is high but expected to decrease.
• ICNIRP and ICES: ICNIRP developed new working procedures, while ICES is updating RF safety standards for NATO.
• ITU and IEC: ITU focuses on disseminating RF exposure information, with harmonization efforts for standards. IEC TC 106 maintains EMF exposure standards.

Policy and Legislation

• National policies were reviewed, including Brussels' law limiting wireless exposures to 3 V/m, and examples from countries like Sweden, Finland, and India. Discussions highlighted challenges like political limits and public concerns.
• The ICNIRP proposed limits for ELF fields in Israel, with debates on evidence-based policy.

Future Directions

• Proposed steps include developing Basic Safety Standards for Non-Ionizing Radiation (NIR) in collaboration with UN agencies, addressing NIR use in medicine, and risk assessments for cosmetic industries.

Administrative Business

• Ideas for future meetings included topics like lasers and new energy sources. Funding mechanisms and the role of in-kind contributions were discussed, with WHO prioritizing regional meetings.

• Emilie van Deventer closed the meeting, thanking participants and the host, ANSES.