Health risk assessment

WHO's assessment of any health risks produced by EMF emitting technologies falls within the responsibilities of the International EMF Project. One of the goals of the International EMF Project is therefore to carry out health risk assessments of Radio Frequency Fields (RF), Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) and static fields, published in the Environmental Health Criteria (ECH).

The health risk assessments are the result of in-depth critical reviews conducted through independent, scientific peer-review groups. They are usually undertaken if new data are available that would substantially change the evaluation, if there is public concern for health or environmental effects of the agent because of greater exposure, or if an appreciable time period has elapsed since the last evaluation.

The revised EHCs on EMF are being published as a set of three monographs spanning the relevant EMF frequency range (0 - 300 GHz).

-  Research on radiofrequency fields

The Environmental Health Criteria Programme

In 1973 the WHO Environmental Health Criteria Programme was initiated, with the following objectives:

• to assess information on the relationship between exposure to environmental pollutants and human health, and to provide guidelines for setting exposure limits;
• to identify new or potential pollutants;
• to identify gaps in knowledge concerning the health effects of pollutants;
• to promote the harmonization of toxicological and epidemiological methods to have internationally comparable results.

The first Environmental Health Criteria (EHC) monograph, on mercury, was published in 1976. Since that time, an ever-increasing number of assessments of chemical and physical agents have been produced. In addition, many EHC monographs have been devoted to evaluating toxicological methodology, e.g., for genetic, neurotoxic, teratogenic and nephrotoxic agents. Other publications have been concerned with epidemiological guidelines, evaluation of short-term tests for carcinogens, biomarkers, effects on the elderly and so forth.

The original impetus for the Programme came from World Health Assembly resolutions and the recommendations of the 1972 UN Conference on the Human Environment. The work subsequently became an integral part of the International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS), a cooperative programme of UNEP, ILO and WHO. With the strong support of the new partners, the importance of occupational health and environmental effects became fully recognized. The EHC monographs have become widely established, used and acknowledged throughout the world.

EHCs on Electromagnetic Fields

To date, six monographs have been produced in collaboration with other organizations. These EHCs address the possible health effects of exposure to Static, Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) and Radiofrequency (RF) fields:

• Environmental Health Criteria 238 (2007): Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) Fields
  WHO, Geneva, Switzerland, ISBN 978-92-4-157238-5
  Published under the joint sponsorship of ILO, ICNIRP and WHO
• Environmental Health Criteria 232 (2006): Static Fields
  WHO, Geneva, Switzerland, ISBN 92-4-157232-9
  Published under the joint sponsorship of ILO, ICNIRP and WHO
• Environmental Health Criteria 137 (1993): Electromagnetic Fields (300 Hz - 300 GHz)
  WHO, Geneva, Switzerland, ISBN 92-4-157137-3
  Published under the joint sponsorship of UNEP, IRPA and WHO
• Environmental Health Criteria 69 (1987): Magnetic Fields
  WHO, Geneva, Switzerland, ISBN 92-4-154269-1
  Published under the joint sponsorship of UNEP, ILO and WHO
• Environmental Health Criteria 35 (1984): Extremely Low Frequency (ELF)
  WHO, Geneva, Switzerland, ISBN 92-4-154095-8
  Published under the joint sponsorship of UNEP, WHO and IRPA
• Environmental Health Criteria 16 (1981): Radiofrequency and Microwaves
  WHO, Geneva, Switzerland, ISBN 92-4-154076-1
  Published under the joint sponsorship of UNEP, WHO and IRPA

Scope

The EHC monographs are intended to provide critical reviews on the effect on human health and the environment of physical, chemical and biological agents. As such, they include and review studies that are of direct relevance for the evaluation. However, they do not describe every study that has been carried out. Worldwide data are used and are quoted from original studies, not from abstracts or reviews. Both published and unpublished reports are considered, but preference is always given to published data. Unpublished data are only used when relevant published data are absent or when the unpublished data are pivotal to the risk assessment. A detailed policy statement is available that describes the procedures used for unpublished proprietary data so that this information can be used in the evaluation without compromising its confidential nature.

In the evaluation of human health risks, sound human data, whenever available, are generally more informative than animal data. Animal and in vitro studies provide support and are used mainly to supply evidence that is missing from human studies. It is mandatory that research on human subjects be conducted in full accord with ethical principles, including the provisions of the Helsinki Declaration.

All studies, with either positive or negative effects, need to be evaluated and judged on their own merit, and then collectively evaluated and judged in a weight of evidence approach. It is important to determine how much a set of evidence changes the probability that exposure causes an outcome. Generally, studies must be replicated or be in agreement with similar studies. The evidence for an effect is further strengthened if the results from different types of studies (epidemiology or laboratory) point to the same conclusion.

The EHC monographs are intended to assist national and international authorities in making risk assessments and subsequent risk management decisions. They represent a thorough evaluation of risks and are not, in any sense, recommendations for regulation or standard setting. These latter are the exclusive purview of national and regional governments.

Procedures

The general procedures that result in the publication of this EHC monograph are discussed below.

A first draft, prepared by consultants or staff from a RAD Collaborating Centre, is initially based on data provided from reference databases, such as Medline and PubMed. The draft document, when received by RAD, may require an initial review by a small panel of experts to determine its scientific quality and objectivity. Once the document is acceptable as a first draft, it is distributed, in its unedited form, to well over 150 EHC contact points throughout the world who are asked to comment on its completeness and accuracy and, where necessary, provide additional material. The contact points, usually designated by governments, may be Collaborating Centres, or individual scientists known for their particular expertise. Generally, some months are allowed before the comments are considered by the author(s). A second draft incorporating comments received and approved by the Coordinator (RAD) is then distributed to Task Group members, who carry out the peer review at least six weeks before their meeting.

The Task Group members serve as individual scientists, not as representatives of their organization. Their function is to evaluate the accuracy, significance and relevance of the information in the document and to assess the health and environmental risks from exposure to the part of the electromagnetic spectrum being addressed. A summary and recommendations for further research and improved safety aspects are also required. The composition of the Task Group is dictated by the range of expertise required for the subject of the meeting (epidemiology, biological and physical sciences, medicine and public health) and by the need for a balance in gender, geographical distribution and the range of opinions on the science.

The membership of the WHO Task Groups is approved by the Assistant Director General of the Cluster on Sustainable Development and Healthy Environments. These Task Groups are the highest level committees within WHO for conducting health risk assessments. They are similar to the Working Groups established by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) that conduct ‘carcinogen identification and classification’ of various physical, chemical and biological agents.

Task Groups conduct a critical and thorough review of the scientific literature and assess any risks to health from exposure to both static electric and magnetic fields, reach agreements by consensus, and make final conclusions and recommendations that cannot be altered after the Task Group meeting.

The World Health Organization recognizes the important role played by non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Representatives from relevant national and international agencies may be invited to join the Task Group as observers. While observers may provide a valuable contribution to the process, they can only speak at the invitation of the Chairperson. Observers do not participate in the final evaluation, since this is the sole responsibility of the Task Group members. When the Task Group considers it to be appropriate, it may meet in camera.

All individuals who participate as authors, consultants or advisers in the preparation of the EHC monograph must, in addition to serving in their personal capacity as scientists, inform WHO if at any time a conflict of interest, whether actual or potential, could be perceived in their work. They are required to sign a conflict of interest statement. Such a procedure ensures the transparency and probity of the process.

When the Task Group has completed its review and the Coordinator (RAD) is satisfied as to the scientific consistency and completeness of the document, it is then subjected to language editing, reference checking, and a camera-ready copy is then prepared. After approval by the Director, the monograph is submitted to the WHO Office of Publications for printing. A copy of the final draft is then sent to the Chairperson and Rapporteur of the Task Group to check the proofs.