Betreff: WHO first international EMF Exposure Guideline

Von: JCMPelican @aol.com

Datum: Mon, 18 Jun 2007 14:06:41 EDT

I learned today that the KYODO webpage report re WHO and EMF's can no longer be accessed without subscribing.   Thanks to Hans, he has provided content!     Joanne

Betreff: WHO first international EMF Exposure Guideline

Von: hans karow

Datum: Mon, 18 Jun 2007 11:00:17 -0700

An: emfproject@who.int

CC: Commission Secretary BCUC:EX

Hans Karow

S 2 / C 49, RR # 1

3075 Hayman Road

Naramata, BC, V0H 1N0, Canada

hkarow@shaw.ca

Radiation and Environmental Health
World Health Organization
20 Avenue Appia
CH-1211 Geneva 27
Switzerland
Tel: +41 22 791 4976
Fax: +41 22 791 4123
Email: emfproject@who.int

Dear Madam/Sir,

Re: WHO first international EMF exposure guidelines

According to a media article (enclosed below), the WHO is expected to officially release its first international EMF guidelines.

May I kindly ask you to forward  a copy of that guideline at your earliest convenience please.

Presently there is a local substation and transmission line application before our provincial regulatory agency, and the subject power company as well as the regulatory agency base their position and decision about the location of the project near residential and public buildings on the WHO’s/ICNIRP’s  833 milliGauss threshold, thus allowing people being exposed to up to these levels from external EMF sources, people are unknowingly, involuntarily exposed to without their consent.

The requested WHO first international guidelines would help our local case and cases elsewhere to prevent such high exposures to people.

Thank you very much in advance,

Sincerely

Hans Karow

Source: http://home.kyodo.co.jp/modules/fstStory/index.php?storyid=320897

WHO calls for measures to deal with electromagnetic waves

TSUKUBA, Japan, June 17 KYODO

     The World Health Organization has urged its member nations to take measures against emissions of ultra low-frequency electromagnetic waves such as those from power lines, citing the possible link between the emissions and infant leukemia, a source close to the organization said Sunday.
     In its first international guidelines on the long-term influence of electromagnetic waves on human health, the WHO called on countries to establish laws to reduce such exposure, the source said.
     Although the WHO did not set specific numerical figures for the reduction, it supported U.S. and Japanese epidemiology studies which said that the risk of developing childhood leukemia will double if children are constantly exposed to more than an average 0.3-0.4 microtesla.
     While saying that direct causal relation between electromagnetic waves and health damage has not been recognized, the WHO concluded that a link cannot be denied and that preventive measures are needed.
     The guidelines are likely to put pressure on Japan which has no regulations concerning the influence of electromagnetic waves on human bodies. Earlier this month, the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry set up a working group to consider regulating ultra-low frequency magnetic fields located around power lines.
     The WHO is expected to officially release the guidelines as early as Monday.
     According to the WHO, electronic devices which emit strong electromagnetic waves when they are used include hair driers, electric shavers, vacuum cleaners and kitchen microwaves.
     A kitchen microwave emits 4-8 microtesla in a 30-centimeter distance while a television emits 0.01-0.15 microtesla when people are within a 1-meter distance.
     In the international guidelines, the WHO mentioned preventive measures seen in such countries as Italy and the Netherlands where a certain distance is secured between high-voltage power lines and residential districts, or schools and other facilities.
     It also recommended labeling electromagnetic wave levels on electronic devices, such as electric carpets.
     The WHO has been conducting research on the influence of electromagnetic waves on human bodies since 1996 following reports that areas near high-voltage power lines have seen many cases of childhood leukemia.
     It is also working on electromagnetic waves with shorter wavelengths which are emitted from mobile phones and other devices. It is planning to compile a report on the result of the work as early as next year.
==Kyodo