Swedish Radiation Protection Institute
Source: SSI Policy Statement
The Swedish Radiation Protection Institute (SSI) made a decision that the total knowledge of health effects from exposure to low- frequency magnetic fields justifies reduction of magnetic fields. SSI believed that steps should be taken to protect people from high magnetic field exposures of long duration as long as the cost is "reasonable" defined in the following ways:
Despite popular media reports and the SSI position that the current scientific literature justifies taking steps to reduce exposure to EMF, no EMF guidelines or standards have been set. Furthermore, it is unlikely that any numerical limits will be set in the near future.
In June 1994 the Swedish National Electrical Safety Board (NESB) working with the Housing Authority, the Social Welfare Board and the Radiation Protection Institute published a brochure, Magnetic Fields and Potential Health Risks Based on What We Know in May 1994 . The 16-page leaflet uses a question and answer format to provide the most current information available to the Swedish public. The brochure focuses on EMF research and sources of magnetic field exposure. When addressing the issue of scientific uncertainty, the brochure states that although it does not have sufficient information to establish limits, "...the suspicion of a connection between magnetic fields and cancer are [sic] such that we recommend a certain caution". The brochure subsequently outlines considerations that could be made when planning and building that echo the points set forth in the SSI policy.
Sweden's largest workers' union, the Swedish Trade Union Confederation (LO), released a booklet entitled Cancer and Magnetic Fields at the Workplace. Published in Swedish in January 1994 and subsequently translated into English, the 17- page booklet was created primarily to provide information to union members and other interested parties, but concludes with a summary of what it terms demands directed at various Swedish governmental agencies and employers. One item was to establish an average exposure limit of 2 milligauss (mG) per (work) day based on LO's position that "Now when we know, not least thanks to Swedish studies, that there is a connection between magnetic fields and certain forms of cancer we regard it as being of utmost importance to inform people of the extent of the risks and of what can be done to minimize them." In the past, issues presented by the workers' organization have resulted in changes in work standards and practices in Sweden.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is currently soliciting funds from national governments in several countries including the United States, as well as private organizations to conduct a 5-year review of possible health effects from exposures to electromagnetic energy. The review would address the need for an international review and assessment of current literature as well as incorporate an assessment of major animal and epidemiologic studies that are currently underway. The strength of such a proposal is the international cooperative effort, whereby groups such as the International Committee on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and the International Labor Organization, both representing a breadth of national boundaries (without the pressures from specific interest groups), will work in partnership with WHO to assess the state of knowledge.
The survey is projected to begin in the spring of 1995 when funding would become available. Goals and objectives of the review are to:
The Electricity Supply Association of Australia (ESAA) Limited publishes a quarterly update of news pertaining to the EMF issue, particularly as it relates to Australian concerns. In its September issue, ESAA highlighted results from an independent market research that it commissioned in late 1993. Established to characterize the public's attitude toward EMF, the report claims that EMF concerns have diminished. In addition, researchers found that personal interest and risk perception had also lessened. The study, performed by Frank Small & Associates, identified air quality as an environmental health issue of greater interest.
Educational materials produced by ESAA include a seven-piece brochure with separate fact sheets addressing topics such as "What are Electric and Magnetic Fields;" "Electric and Magnetic Fields at Home and at Work"; "Understanding EMF Research;" and "EMF and Residential Research Results". ESAA has also just released a new video entitled: "Electric and Magnetic Fields - What We Know".