Dr MH Repacholi and Dr TE van Deventer Radiation and Environmental Health World Health Organization , éStandards and Guidelines éThe Framework for Developing EMF Standards ➢Objective ➢Motivation éThe Content éThe Process EMF Project Secretariat

InternationalInternational ResearchResearch StandardsStandards AdvisoryAdvisory CoordinatingCoordinating HarmonizationHarmonization CommitteeCommittee CommitteeCommittee CommitteeCommittee

InternationalInternational CollaboratingCollaborating NationalNational OrganizationsOrganizations InstitutionsInstitutions AuthoritiesAuthorities WHOWHO EMFEMF ProjectProject

Information and Scientific Evidence Standards and Risk Assessment Policies Training Risk Management Risk Perception

Environmental International Information Risk Perception Standards Impact Scientific Reviews Publications and Communication

Review of EMF Impacts Health Status Reports Review of Web site Seminars on Environment Research Gaps World Standards in Multiple Languages and W/G Reviews

WHO Research Develop Frameworks Fact Sheets WHO Task Groups Co-ordination for in Multiple Languages Task Groups - Standards - Precautionary Information for Collection of Measures Peer review articles Risk Handbook Environmental Impacts Database - Model Legislation and For Future Proceedings of Development meetings Projects WHO/IARC Develop Task Group Reviews EMF Management Programme for Training Programmes - Public - Internet Health Risk - Workers (NIOSH) - Seminars Assessment in Multiple Languages

WHO Environmental Global Health Criteria EMF Standard

National EMF Authorities and Public éWHO does NOT develop EMF standards - only health risk assessments éICNIRP -full partner in the EMF Project - develops international standard

éThe EMF Project facilitates international consensus on standards éAll major standards setting countries are involved in the EMF Project TechnicalTechnical standardsstandards Exposure standards (emission)(emission) have limit EMF exposure to specifications that people and are limit the EMF scientifically-based emissions from devices Technical standards Exposure standards limit (emission) have EMF exposure to people specifications that limit and are scientifically- the EMF emissions from based devices From comprehensive international EMF guidelines

….to national regulations

WTO requirement for countries who are a signatory to the GATT to harmonize with international standards, where they exist Need for comprehensive health-based EMF standards that cover ➢the whole NIR frequency spectrum ➢all sources of EMF emissions ➢all populations

Non- Ministry of Health Ministry of Labour Ministry of the Environment Ministry of Transport Ministry of Energy Ministry of Telecommunications …. Framework for Developing EMF Standards

International EMF Project World Health Organization Geneva, Switzerland

October 2003 To develop an international agreement on a framework for developing guidelines on protection from EMF exposure

Expected benefits é Increased public confidence that governments and scientists agree on health risks é Informed debate and better understanding about EMF é Uniform health protection é Many countries currently considering new EMF standards é Concerns about public safety and anxiety about increasing EMF exposures from new technologies é Large differences between national standards éDifferent interpretations of the scientific data

éDifferent philosophies to develop exposure limits

éDifferences in the way scientists interpret risk data and perception of risks

éDeficiencies in communications among scientists between different regions é Protecting populations against potentially hazardous agents is part of the political process

é Expected that different countries may choose to provide different levels of protection against environmental hazards, responding to their citizens’ wishes Introduction Standards Harmonization Research Evaluation Biological effects and adverse health effects Review of the scientific literature Criteria for research evaluation Process of evaluation Model for developing standards or guidelines Basis for standards or guidelines Safety factors Basic restrictions and reference levels Is there a need for multiple tiers? Methods for determining compliance Costs of implementation and direct health effects Precautionary aspects Glossary References Appendices Driving Force Science

Perform Risk Method Assessment

Develop Action Guidelines

Legal Set Outcome Standards LITERATURE REVIEW

éComprehensive and critical review by qualified committees éPeer-reviewed scientific literature éConference abstracts of little value STUDY CRITERIA

http://www.niehs.nih.gov/emfrapid/booklet/emf2002.pdf MODEL FOR DEVELOPING STANDARDS

éBasis for standards or guidelines

+

éSafety factors éBasic restrictions and reference levels MODEL FOR DEVELOPING STANDARDS Multiple Tiers?

Elderly Workers and and children general public MODEL FOR DEVELOPING STANDARDS (cont’d

ICNIRP Guidelines MODEL FOR DEVELOPING STANDARDS COMPLIANCE

é Internationally harmonized protocols for measurements (e.g. IEC, ISO, CENELEC, IEEE,…)

é Recommend independent agency for determining compliance with standards In response to requests from several Member States, the EMF Project is drafting a document on model legislation for protecting human health

Model Act Explanatory Model + Memorandum Regulation é A Model Act to enable a Government to initiate laws and statutes to limit exposure to NIR

é A Model Regulation which sets out in detail the scope, application, exposure standards and compliance procedures that are permitted under the Act to limit exposure to EMF

é An Explanatory Memorandum which provides a commentary and rationale for the measures proposed in the Model Act and the Model Regulation. Driving Force Science Precaution

Perform Risk Perform Risk Experience/ Method Assessment Evaluation Observation

Develop Approach Develop Guidelines Options based on • economics (cost-benefit, Legal Set cost-effectiveness Outcome Standards analyses) • social/cultural values Driving Force Science Precaution

Perform Risk Perform Risk Method Assessment Evaluation

Develop Develop Approach Guidelines Options

Legal Set Mandatory Voluntary Outcome Standards Measures Measures Driving Force Science Precaution Legal Standards Mandatory Voluntary Outcome Measures Measures

Exposure limits for electric and magnetic fields over certain frequency range Driving Force Science Precaution Legal Standards Mandatory Voluntary Outcome Measures Measures

Examples: Requirements for • fences around cell masts • labels of SAR values on cell phones • minimum distance of schools from power lines Driving Force Science Precaution Legal Standards Mandatory Voluntary Outcome Measures Measures

Examples: • restricting cell phone use for children • providing and using hands-free kits éXi'an, China, October 2000 éSan Antonio, Texas, November 2000 éLima, , March 2001 éBulgaria, May 2001 éSouth Korea, October 2001 éCape Town, South Africa, December 2001 éGuilin, China, October 2003 éKuala Lumper, , October 2003

Dr Michael Repacholi Coordinator

The International EMF Project Radiation and Environmental Health Protection of the Human Environment World Health Organization 21 Avenue Appia CH-1211 Geneva 27 Switzerland email: [email protected] Tel: +41 22 791 3427 website: www.who.int/emf