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Betreff:
Tuning into radio
waves issue / WHO guidelines urge govts to take steps to monitor EMF levels |
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Von: Patricia Ormsby |
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Datum: Fri, 13 Jul 2007 02:00:18 -0700 (PDT) |
Perhaps
this was just a mistake by the writer, as it doesn't fit with the general tone
of the article. We who know Mr. Kakehi know he would never say anything
of this sort. Sincerely, Pat Ormsby ----- Original Message ---- The World Health Organization earlier this month recommended governments
to take measures to study healthy levels of exposure to electromagnetic fields
(EMF). The WHO's Environmental Health Criteria, released June 18, focus on
exposure to electromagnetic waves that is suspected of being linked to leukemia
in children. Radio waves radiate from sources such as electrical appliances and power
cables. The WHO recommendations should be a starting point for a discussion of
the possible health risks of electromagnetic radiation. Based on EMF studies over 11 years, the WHO came up with 10
recommendations, including: -- The establishment of guidelines regarding maximum permissible EMF
levels. -- Encouraging electric power companies to consult residents and local
governments in areas where power cables are erected. -- Promoting EMF-related studies. In particular, the recommendations also ask governments and electric
power companies to work toward increasing public awareness of electromagnetic
wave-related health risks. By establishing open forums to discuss electromagnetic waves, the views
of local residents as well as other interested parties should be reflected when
formulating policies involving radio wave radiation, the WHO noted. The world body said the proposed sharing of information will help
citizens act independently to avert any radiation risks from EMF. The British government in 2004 established an advisory council on
electromagnetic wave risks that now comprises more than 40 organizations,
including the Health Department, electric power firms, societies for childhood
leukemia patients and their parents, and residents' bodies opposed to the
construction of high-voltage power lines. Japan does not have a government-sponsore d consultative body yet. Another characteristic of the WHO recommendations this time is that it
advises governments of the world to adopt regulatory steps to comply with
WHO-set international guidelines on human exposure to electromagnetic waves. For
example, 100 mT (microtesla) or less per hour when their frequency is 50 hertz.
A microtesla is a unit to gauge radio wave strength. Electromagnetic waves below power cables are no more than 20 mT. It is known that properties of electromagnetic waves, which have
properties of both electricity and magnetism, work differently depending on
their wavelengths. These waves include sunlight and X-rays. Ultralow-frequency radio wave emissions from electrical appliances are,
for example, 2.5 to 53 mT from hair driers and 0.1 to 2 mT from a TV, according
to the WHO. High-frequency waves generated by appliances such as cell phones are not
mentioned in the WHO recommendations this time. Electric power companies and the government have failed to draw up any
quantitative exposure limits regarding radio waves as they claim there is no
reliable proof that electromagnetic waves can have an adverse affect on health.
Recently, the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry formed a panel of
experts on electromagnetic wave issues in its Natural Resources and Energy
Study Council. The panel is scheduled to study the advisability of introducing
regulatory measures in accordance with WHO recommendations. There will be no need to make any major changes to the existing electric
power facilities, even if the government takes some form of radio wave
regulation, officials of the ministry's Electric Power Safety Division said. The latest WHO recommendations agree with epidemiological studies in
many countries that suggest a child exposed to electromagnetic waves of 0.3 mT
or more over a long period of time has a higher risk of developing leukemia. The WHO, however, adds that the connection has not been established by
experimenting on animals. Less than 4 percent of the world's children live in environments with
0.3 mT or stronger electromagnetic waves. The WHO recommendations fall short of calling for any stringent limits
on electromagnetic wave radiation in the near future. So how should Japan respond to the WHO recommendations? Tetsuo Kakehi, representative of Gauss Network, a civic group addressing
issues relating to electromagnetic waves, has admitted: "People who are
anxious about the possible health hazards of electromagnetic waves tend to only
collect research that points out the health risks." As electromagnetic waves are invisible, there is an unfortunate trend
toward underestimating the possible health hazards of radio waves. Meiji Pharmaceutical University Prof. Chiyoji Okubo, a former research
fellow of the WHO, said, "The public should be able to judge the health
risks of electromagnetic waves." Electric power companies and electrical appliance manufacturers should
provide consumers with as much relevant data as possible. It is hoped the WHO recommendations will lead to the government,
industrial sector and local residents exchanging views about the possible risks
of electromagnetic waves.
From: Lourdes Salvador
Sent: Tuesday, June 26, 2007 4:15:05 PM
Subject: Tuning into radio waves issue / WHO guidelines urge govts to take
steps to monitor EMF levelsJune 26, 2007
Tuning into radio waves issue / WHO guidelines urge govts to take steps
to monitor EMF levels