A review of the biological EMF/health effects controversy

There has been a considerable rise in public awareness and concern in recent years regarding health and safety and environmental protection issues. Numerous regulatory initiatives and directives have been put in place. One example is the European Community´s EMC directive which aims to ensure that all electrical or electronic equipment sold within the EC is so constructed that they do not cause excessive electromagnetic interference and are not unduly affected by electromagnetic radiation. Other issues are as diverse as environmental impact statements (EIS) relating to power transmission systems, air pollution, acid rain, depletion of the ozone layer and biological effects of fields on humans. The present paper reviews the state of knowledge on the important subject of biological EM field (EMF)/health effects which continues to remain relatively high in public concern and awareness despite the frequent and strongly reassuring statements made by supply utilities worldwide. The paper discusses relevant work including key epidemiological and related studies, indicating perceived flaws in methodologies of some. It attempts to provide a totally independent overview of the important EMF/health effects controversy and reviews epidemiological and experimental studies relevant to the possible adverse health effects of electromagnetic emissions from electrical equipment including EHV systems. Related work concerning visual display units (VDUs) is also be considered