2008-06-12-世界卫生组织-EMF_Project_-_International_Advisory_Committee_2008_7页_118kb

Summary of WHO International EMF Project IAC 13th Meeting

Date and Location: June 19-20, 2008, Berlin, Germany.
Event Type: 13th International Advisory Committee Meeting for the WHO International Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) Project.
Opening: Chaired by Dr. Emilie van Deventer, representing WHO, who thanked the German Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) for hosting the event. This meeting coincided with the final conference on the German Mobile Phone Health Research Programme (DMF).

Key Objectives and Strategic Context

• The EMF Project aligns with WHO's Medium-Term Strategic Plan Objective 8: promoting environmental health and influencing public policies.
• Project goals include evidence-based assessments, norms formulation, and technical support for primary prevention.
• Two key WHO publications were issued: Environmental Health Criteria (EHC) 232 on Static Fields (2006) and 238 on Extremely Low Frequency Fields (2007). The third EHC on Radio Frequency EMFs is pending IARC's hazard identification on carcinogenicity.

Research and Project Updates

• Ongoing activities: Research database, collaborations like COSMOS and Cefalo studies focusing on mobile phone users and childhood leukemia.
• Updates on static fields and ELF fields: ICNIRP planned statements, transExpo study on childhood leukemia.
• RF fields: Options for a new EHC publication on health risks; discussions include data calls, inclusion of benefits, and convergence of standards.

International Collaboration and Standards

• Projects: GLORE and COST BM 0704 facilitate global EMF research coordination.
• Exposure standards: ICNIRP revising guidelines based on new evidence; EU Directive extended until 2012. A unified practical guide for implementation is being developed.
• National standards: Convergence trends, with ICNIRP recommendations often adopted.

Public Communication and Policy

• Efforts include brochures for local authorities to manage stakeholder expectations on mobile phone base stations.
• Public health policies emphasize precautionary approaches, though not always mandated.

Administrative and Financial Matters

• Funding remains critical, with industry contributions barred by WHO's firewall arrangement. Appeals for government and NGO support increased.
• WHO encourages greater national involvement to strengthen the project's final phase.

Conclusion

The meeting underscored the project's impact on EMF research, emphasizing continued international cooperation, standard harmonization, and policy development. Dr. van Deventer concluded by thanking delegates and announcing the next events, including ICNIRP workshops.