Scientists Urge Greater Precaution and Independent Research, to Protect Health from Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields
by Elizabeth Kelley

A group of scientists are urging people to take sensible precautions against potential health risks related to exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF). They also call for a full and independent review of the scientific evidence that points to hazards from the current EMF exposure conditions worldwide, and for an independent, publicly managed research program to investigate critical issues of health and safety.

At a meeting held in Benevento, Italy, last February (2006), these scientists reviewed current scientific evidence on potential health effects related to EMF exposure in the extremely-low frequency (ELF) and radio frequency (RF) band of the electro magnetic spectrum (0-300GHz). Energies of these frequencies, called non-ionizing, are used in electrical transmission, distribution and electrical use by the public, by radio and television broadcasts, cellular transmissions, wireless internet access and more. These scientists believe that exposure to even the weak fields emitted by these technologies can affect biological systems.

After several months of debate, thirty-one scientists just signed a consensus statement called the "Benevento Resolution" to advise the public and the scientific community of their strong belief that there are adverse health effects from the current EMF exposure conditions. They urge more prudent use of all EMF emitting products and services. They specifically advise children and young teenagers to be guided to limit use of cellular and cordless phones and that marketing campaigns to them should be banned.

Dr. Sandro D'Allessandro, a physician and Mayor of Benevento from 2001 to 2006, at the time the city sponsored the February 2206 meeting, states, "Public opposition to two high power transmission lines that went through a nearby village, Contrada San Vitale, led to their removal. As a physician and Mayor of Benevento, I share public concern about electromagnetic safety. We sponsored this workshop in response to public interest in knowing more about the science of bioelectromagnetics."

The three day workshop entitled "Precautionary EMF Approach: Rationale, Legislation and Implementation" began on February 22, 2006. The organizer was the International Commission for Electromagnetic Safety (ICEMS), who invited participants from twelve different countries - Brazil, Canada, China, Israel, Italy, Poland, Russia, Sweden, Taiwan, Turkey, United Kingdom and the United States. The Benevento Resolution of 2006 affirms the Catania Resolution, adopted in 2002, that conveyed a similar scientific position. These Resolutions apply the Precautionary Principle to encourage more protective safety measure be employed in the design, manufacture and standard-setting process for all EMF emitting technologies, calling for health assessments of current EMF exposure conditions for the general public and for workers.

Prof. Livio Guiliana, ICEMS Spokesman, who directs research programs for the "Instituto Superiore per la Prevenzione e la Sicurezza del Lavro" (ISPESL), the Italian Health Ministry's worker safety and protection program, stated, "Why is it taking so long to get these concerns addressed? Scientific controversy about EMF and this meeting provide new reasons to reach an agreement on increased public health and worker safety protection. The criticisms of some scientists who ignore the epidemiological findings are effectively challenged as new experimental results were presented that indicate mechanisms of electromagnetic field non-thermal bio-interaction."

The International Commission on Electromagnetic Safety is a not-for-profit group of concerned scientists.

The Benevento resolution may be viewed online at www.icems.eu
September 19, 2006
Elizabeth Kelley, ICEMS Management Secretariat
info@icems.eu

ROBERT O BECKER, MD Two-time Nobel Prize nominee: "I have no doubt in my mind that at the present time, the greatest polluting element in the earth's environment is the proliferation of electro-magnetic fields. I consider that to be far greater, on a global scale, than warming, and the increase in chemical elements in the environment."