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Conclusive evidence in relation to health issues only comes about _ relationship between dose and effect, enabling the effect of non- by comparing a large number of individual studies to build up a _ionizing EMFs to be quantified...does not prevent the adoption of case, such as was done with tobacco smoking. Sir Richard Doll __ legislative measures designed to minimise the exposure of workers (NRPB) himself admitted this about the smoking issue. Itis very and the public”. unscientific to use this term in relation to only one study. The European Parliament resolution takes seriously the health As for the Thériault study, its results are similar to findings hazards from electromagnetic radiation. To quote in part from the from previous studies. That is, positive associations between ELF _ resolution: magnetic field exposure and a number of cancer types were indi- "according to an increasing number of epidemiological and cated, with associations being strongest for leukaemias, followed experimental studies, even slight exposure to non-ionizing electro- by brain cancers." magnetic fields increases the risks of cancer, can be accompanied In a further analysis of the Thériault study by Dr Gilles by nervous disorders and disruption of the circadian rhythms and Thériault and his team at McGill University, high-frequency tran- seems capable of affecting developing organisms... sients (HFTs) and worker exposure were studied. Results showed "\..the results of many in vivo and in vitro studies show increas- up to a tenfold increased risk of developing lung cancer among _ ingly clearly that the interaction mechanisms underlying such dis- highly exposed utility workers and a “very clear" exposure- _ orders and illnesses, centred mainly in the cell membrane, lead to response relationship. disruption of melatonin secretions, ornithine decarboxylase activi- This second analysis by Thériault has resulted in Hydro-Quebec _ ty and T-lymphocyte efficacy, testifying to the probable role of (which owns the data collected by Thériault) barring Thériault and —_ non-ionizing radiation in promoting cancer... his team from further access to the data.'® “synergy phenomena must be expected This is the kind of thing which can happen It is inadvisable just to between non-ionizing radiation and other when vested interests, such as power compa- depend upon the electric physical or chemical agents."""' nies, fund research. li Footnotes: To find an “expert” group such as the power supp lers to pase on 96. Electromagnetics and VDU News, July/Dec 1993. Radiation Advisory Committee giving such information to the public or | 97. “Are Powerlines Bad for You?", New Scientist, 11 an inaccurate report on the Thériault study is nee April 1992, pp. 22-23. cam eriereese | health authorities, for results | 92" peciromugnetcs and VOU News, July/Dec 1993. This inaccurate reporting is perhaps under- | Call BE altered to suit their 99, Radiological Protection Bulletin, NRPB. March Shoes ri * standable considering (quoting from the | vested interests. 100. "Health Effects of Low-Frequency Electric and Victorian Government's “Report of the Panel Magnetic Fields", Environmental Sciences Technology, - “ 4 vol. 27, no. 1, 1993, pp. 42-51. lar on aroe sina » September my 101. Health Physics, vol. 58, no. 1, January 1990, pp. 13-122. © date, the responsibi ity for communicating with the commu- 102. ICNIRP Press Release, 12 May 1993. nity about ELF fields has rarely been clearly defined, and most —_103. “Annual Report of the Radiation Advisory Committee", Radiation Safety information is developed ai i ilities, as Section, Department of Health and Community Services, Australia, September 1994. Soe A . 104. MacMillan, lan, “Interpreting Thériault: An Independent Assessment of the — suiboctties not ee ELF fields as an important (7 a French EMF Cancer Study", June 1994. ealth matter.""° [Auth. emph.] 105. Microwave News, Novembet/December 1994. It is inadvisable just to depend upon the electric power suppliers —_106. “Report of the Panel on Electromagnetic Fields and Health" to the Victorian to pass on information to the public or health authorities, for = et rio 1992. ai results can be altered to suit their vested interests. 101. Microwave News, JamiaryiPebruaty 1994. F . A 108. Microwave News, September/October 1994. To get to the real issues involved in the EMP/health hazards 199. Microwave News. Mayilune 1994, debate, it is necessary to look past the "expert" groups and study —_110. Microwave News, September/October 1992. the large body of scientific literature on the subject. This isa very 111. Microwave News, July/August 1994, pp. 13-15. complicated area which is made more complicated by the fact that For further information on power-line issues, field measurements, the present situation on environmental electromagnetic fields strategies, etc., contact: involves highly polarised opinions. Australia: ¢ Powerline Action (Vic.) Inc./EMF Advice—lan MacMillan, 3/247 Flinders Lane, Melbourne, Vic. 3000; phone (03) 654 4512, fax 8.0 CONCLUSION (03) 650 3689. © Association of Citizens Against Telecommunication - . Towers (ACATT)—Kate Barrett, 2/91 Henley Beach Rd, Henley Beach Current Australian regulations on human exposure to electro- South, SA 5022; phone (08) 356 4408. Magnetic radiation are based on the ICNIRP/INIRC guidelines New Zealand: * Adopt Radiation Controls, Inc. (ARC)—c/- Bruce mentioned above, which, in part, state: "analysis of the existing Morrison, PO Box 21113, Henderson, Auckland. ¢ Environmental literature doe: it vide evidence that exposure at present- Protection for Children Trust (EPC)—393 lam Road, Christchurch; phone levels has a public health impact which would require corrective +64 3 351 7329, fax +64 3 343 3693. action", [Auth. emph.] Canada; « PACE Canada—100 Bronson Ave, #1001, Ottawa, Ontario KIR A i . . - 6GH; phone +1 (613) 236 6265, fax +1 (613) 235 5976. However, considering the studies and weight of the evidence of Sweden: ¢ FEB (Association for the Electrically and VDT Injured)—Box human health hazards, the consistency of these reports and the 445176 104 65 Stockholm; ph+46 (8) 712 9065, fax +46 (31) 83 3509. seriousness of the diseases implicated, it is now unacceptable for yk; » London Hazards Centre—Iinterchange Studios, Dalby Street, Australian Government agencies responsible for advising and set- London, NWS 3NQ. * PowerWatch UK—c/- 2 Tower Road, Sutton, Ely, ting standards to continue to base their recommendations on out- Cambs, CB6 2QA. dated guidelines which are no longer appropriate in light of the USA: ¢ National EMR Alliance—410 West 53rd St, #402, New York, NY exideuse. 10019; phone +1 (212) 554 4073, fax +1 (212) 977 5541. 8.0 CONCLUSION Current Australian regulations on human exposure to electro- magnetic radiation are based on the ICNIRP/INIRC guidelines mentioned a which, in part, state: "analysis of the existing literature doe: wide evidence that exposure at present- SS which would require corrective action", [Auth. emph.] However, considering the studies and weight of the evidence of human health hazards, the consistency of these reports and the seriousness of the diseases implicated, it is now unacceptable for Australian Government agencies responsible for advising and set- ting standards to continue to base their recommendations on out- dated guidelines which are no longer appropriate in light of the evidence. In contrast, the European Parliament has taken a strong progres- sive stand on limiting EMF exposure by adopting a resolution, titled "On Combating the Harmful Effects of Non-Ionizing Radiation". This resolution recognises that "the difficulty of demonstrating a Non-lonizing Electromagnetic Fields and Human Health: Are Current Standards "Safe"? (\SBN 0-646-224050) This Report, written and compiled by Don Maisch, is available from the author at PO Box 96, North Hobart, Tasmania 7002, Australia. Price: AUD$10.00 inc. p&h in Aust; AUD$11.50 airmail to NZ; AUD$14.00 airmail to Canada/Europe/UK/USA. 40 « NEXUS JUNE - JULY 1995