DOCSLIB.ORG

The 1St Meeting of National Experts for WHO's International Radon Project 17-18 January 2005

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The 1St Meeting of National Experts for WHO's International Radon Project 17-18 January 2005 World Health Organization =============================================================== The 1st Meeting of National Experts for WHO's International Radon Project 1 -18 January 2005 Meeting report prepared by J. M. Zielinski and Z. Carr Geneva, Switzerland 2005 Table of Contents articipants.......................................................................................................................... 1 Background......................................................................................................................... 2 Session 1: Justification for the ()O Radon pro,ect and need for global action on radon 4 Session 2: Current science in support of developing sound radon policy ........................ 10 Section .: ()O methodology for burden of disease assessment .................................... 1. Session 4: Current regulatory environment for radon across the world ........................... 10 Session 5: Mitigation measures and national snapshots ................................................... 11 Session 2: Shaping the ()O Radon pro,ect .................................................................... 22 Appendi4 A. 5iscussion leading to consensus statements ............................................... .2 Appendi4 B. Management of the ro,ect: (orking Groups, Timelines........................... .0 Participants Suminory Akiba, Japan )annu Arvela, 7inland Anssi Auvinen, 7inland 8evin Brand, Canada Zhanat Carr, ()O 5oug Chambers, Canada Margaret Chan, ()O Ian Chell, :8 Sarah 5arby, :8 Eckhard Ettenhuber, Germany 5avid 7enton, Ireland R. (illiam 7ield, :SA Alastair Gray, :8 5ave )ill, :8 Jerzy Jankowski, oland Barnes Johnson, :SA Gerald 8endall, :8 Virginia 8oukouliou, Greece Lothar 8reienbrock, Germany Michaela 8reuzer, Germany 5aniel 8rewski, Canada )ans Landfermann, Germany James McLaughlin, Ireland )erwig aretzke, Germany Maria avia, Italy Georges iller, Switzerland Luis S. Quindos, Spain Michael Repacholi, ()O Bing Shang, China Ter,e Strand, Norway Ann-Louis SAderman, Sweden 5an Steck, :SA Quanfu Sun, China Margot Tirmarche, 7rance Jochen Tschiersch, Germany Lene S. Veiga, Brazil (alker, )ilary, :8 Bu,i Bamada, Japan Shunichi Bamashita, ()O )idenori Bonehara, Japan Mikhail Zhukovsky, Russia Jan M. Zielinski, Canada 1st Meeting of the WHO International Radon Project Jan 17-1 2005 Geneva Background Radon occurs in significant amounts in the ground. 5ocumentary evidence from as far back as the 12th century indicates that elevated radon e4posure was probably responsible for e4cess lung cancer mortality of miners in some Central European mines, such as the silver mines in Germany and Bohemia. Initially scientists thought natural radiation was of little health significance for the general population in most countries. )owever, that view began to change in the mid 20th centuryCthe change became dramatic in the 1100s and DE0s as it was discovered that some houses in a number of countries had indoor radon levels at significant concentrations. Then, in 11E4, the issue surged to :S national attention when a construction worker set off a radiation monitor on entering the Limerick Nuclear Generating Station in ennsylvania. The plant was not yet generating fission products, which suggested that his home was the source of contamination. It is now understood that in areas where the natural radon level is high, the lower air pressure in houses results in an inward flow of radon-rich air through cracks in the bottom slab and cellar walls. In response to the need for information on risks from indoor e4posure, epidemiologic studies were directed at the general population in the 1100s and 11E0s. The first studies were largely ecological in design and provided mi4ed findings. Case-control studies of lung cancer were also implemented in the :S, Europe, and elsewhere. Some of these first studies did not actually measure indoor radon, relying on surrogate measures such as the type of housing construction, so the resulting data could not provide Fuantitative estimates of risk By the mid- to late-11E0s, more sophisticated studies with larger sample sizes were undertaken. Some of these studies have suggested an association between elevated levels of radon in homesG others, including the study conducted by )ealth Canada in (innipeg, have not. Overall, these results have failed to provide conclusive evidence of elevated lung cancer risk. As studies were implemented and planned, the challenge of providing the certainty sought by policymakers became apparent. To produce results that can set policy direction reFuires a more demanding study design than to simply show that indoor radon probably causes lung cancer. In the late 11E0s, members of the Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation (BEIRI IV Committee and the Committee on the Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation reviewed the published and planned case-control studies. The potential limitations of sample size and the plausible levels of measurement error were immediately evident. They proposed pooling individual studies, and easily convinced founders C :S 5epartment of Energy and the Commission for European CommunitiesCto support planning for eventual pooling of the world case-control studies of indoor radon and lung cancer. The investigators in Fuestion participated eagerly and established continuing North American 2 1st Meeting of the WHO International Radon Project Jan 17-1 2005 Geneva and European collaborations, which will eventually be pooled. The uncertainties around radon and lung cancer that first prompted case-control studies have been reduced by the many scientific advances. It is now accepted that tens of thousands of lung cancer deaths each year are linked to radon e4posure. The consistency of the data and the analysis points to a need for action. To reduce radon risk, national authorities must have methods and tools based on solid scientific evidence and sound public health policy. ()O has had the foresight to have been working towards development of guidelines. In 111. it published a report containing several conclusions and recommendations covering the scientific understanding of radon risk and the need for countries to take action in the areas of risk management and risk communication. The Radiation and Environmental )ealth rogramme within ()ODs Sustainable 5evelopment and )ealthy Environments Cluster evaluates health risks and public health issues related to environmental and occupational radiation e4posure. The programme promotes research and provides recommendation for emergency medical and public health responses to radiation accidents and terrorist acts and provides advice to national authorities. The ()O Residential Radon Risk pro,ect will develop a programme on the public health aspects of e4posure and identify resources for its implementation. The programme will include: a world-wide database on national residential radon levels, radon action levels, regulations, research institutions, and authoritiesG public health guidance for awareness-raising and mitigationG estimation of the global burden of disease (G5BI associated with residential radon e4posure. G5B is a tool for national public health authorities to Fuantify the burden of disability and mortality for ma,or diseases or disease groups associated with specific risk factor. ()O has been assessing G5B for some 20 ma,or risk factors, but never for ionizing radiation risk factors. ()O is encouraging its member states to create programmes towards such ob,ectives as issuing advisory levels, issuing guidelines for identifying radon risk areas, checking for radon risks prior to new construction, establishing mitigation programmes, and increasing public awareness. ()O has formed a network of key partner agencies around the world working on radon in homes and is proceeding with the International Radon ro,ect (IR I, with completion e4pected in late 2000. At this point in time, the development of a global policy for radon and the process to establish a G5B for radon centre around the following Fuestions: . 1st Meeting of the WHO International Radon Project Jan 17-1 2005 Geneva (hat are the benefits of an international action agenda for radonJ (hat actions could ()O take to move an action agenda forwardJ (hat are some key opportunities to raise visibility for the action recommendationsJ (hat are the first steps for development and implementation of a step-by-step processJ The 1st meeting of the ()O IR was held in Geneva, Switzerland, January 10-1E 2005. This meeting report was prepared by the rapporteur J.M. Zielinski ()ealth CanadaI and Z. Carr ( ro,ect Manager, ()OI. The report contains the collective views of an international group of e4perts, and does not necessarily represent the decisions or the stated policy of the (orld )ealth Organization. Session 1: Justification for the WHO Radon project and need for global action on radon Co chairs: M. Repacholi, H. Walker Welcome Address Margaret Chan, Director, Protection of the Human Environment, WHO Margaret Chan welcomed participants to the 7irst Meeting of the E4pert Group for the ()O Radon ro,ect, on behalf of ()O 5irector General, J.(. Lee. She observed that e4posure to radon, either at home or in the workplace, is one of the greatest risks of ionizing radiation, and causes tens of thousands of deaths from lung cancer each year. )ow can ()O work with international e4perts to help member states formulate good public health policies in this area based on the best available scienceJ This meeting is well-timed, said Chan. 7indings
Load more

Recommended publications
  • EHC 238 Front Pages Final.Fm
    This report contains the collective views of an international group of experts and does not necessarily represent the decisions or the stated policy of the International Commission of Non- Ionizing Radiation Protection, the International Labour Organization, or the World Health Organization. Environmental Health Criteria 238 EXTREMELY LOW FREQUENCY FIELDS Published under the joint sponsorship of the International Labour Organization, the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection, and the World Health Organization. WHO Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data Extremely low frequency fields. (Environmental health criteria ; 238) 1.Electromagnetic fields. 2.Radiation effects. 3.Risk assessment. 4.Envi- ronmental exposure. I.World Health Organization. II.Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals. III.Series. ISBN 978 92 4 157238 5 (NLM classification: QT 34) ISSN 0250-863X © World Health Organization 2007 All rights reserved. Publications of the World Health Organization can be obtained from WHO Press, World Health Organization, 20 Avenue Appia, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland (tel.: +41 22 791 3264; fax: +41 22 791 4857; e- mail: [email protected]). Requests for permission to reproduce or translate WHO publications – whether for sale or for noncommercial distribution – should be addressed to WHO Press, at the above address (fax: +41 22 791 4806; e-mail: [email protected]). The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the World Health Organization concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.
    [Show full text]
  • Prospects for Nuclear Energy in Asia Hooman Peimani
    2012 Summit Papers Prospects for Nuclear Energy in Asia Hooman Peimani All 2012 Summit Papers are available for download from www.nbr.org. HOOMAN PEIMANI is Head of the Energy Security Division and Principal Fellow at the Energy Studies Institute at the National University of Singapore. He can be reached at <[email protected]>. Pacific Energy Summit • 2012 Summit Papers • Peimani EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This paper outlines the reasons for Asia’s interest in nuclear power and argues that despite the 2011 disaster at Fukushima, the region will continue to be the main arena for expanding the use of nuclear power. Main Argument Asia has established itself as the world’s largest energy consumer, accounting for 45.2% of the global energy consumption in 2010. Today, fossil energy accounts for the bulk of regional energy requirements, but many factors have demanded diversification of the region’s energy mix to include non-fossil energy—particularly nuclear power, which can provide clean energy on a large scale and in a reliable manner. While concerns about the safety of nuclear reactors are legitimate, they are not a strong argument for dismissing nuclear energy. Consequently, safety concerns have not resulted in serious plans in Asia to reverse or downsize nuclear energy programs in its countries with active programs or serious existing plans. Policy Implications The Asia-Pacific region has been growing at a significant rate, which ensures a high and increasing demand for goods and services. In turn, such economic momentum has unsurprisingly ensured a large and growing demand for energy in the region.
    [Show full text]
  • Health Risk Assessment of Electromagnetic Fields
    ! ! ! Attachment!1! Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine, 25: 197–200, 2006 Copyright © Informa Healthcare ISSN 1536-8378 print DOI: 10.1080/15368370601034003 Benevento Resolution 2006 The International Commission for Electromagnetic Safety (ICEMS) held an international conference entitled. The Precautionary EMF Approach: Rationale, Legislation and Implementation, hosted by the City of Benevento, Italy, on February 22–24, 2006. The meeting was dedicated to W. Ross Adey, M.D. (1922–2004). The scientists at the conference endorsed and extended the 2002 Catania Resolution and resolved that: 1. More evidence has accumulated suggesting that there are adverse health effects from occupational and public exposures to electric, magnetic, and electromagnetic fields, or EMF1, at current exposure levels. What is needed, but not yet realized, is a comprehensive, independent, and transparent examination of the evidence pointing to this emerging, potential public health issue. 2. Resources for such an assessment are grossly inadequate despite the explosive growth of technologies for wireless communications as well as the huge For personal use only. ongoing investment in power transmission. 3. There is evidence that present sources of funding bias the analysis and interpretation of research findings towards rejection of evidence of possible public health risks. 4. Arguments that weak (low intensity) EMF cannot affect biological systems do not represent the current spectrum of scientific opinion. 5. Based on our review of the science, biological effects can occur from exposures to both extremely low frequency fields (ELF EMF) and radiation Electromagn Biol Med Downloaded from informahealthcare.com by Gazi Univ. on 04/25/13 frequency fields (RF EMF). Epidemiological and in vivo as well as in vitro experimental evidence demonstrates that exposure to some ELF EMF can increase cancer risk in children and induce other health problems in both children and adults.
    [Show full text]
  • World Health Organization, Extremely Low Frequency Fields, 2007
    This report contains the collective views of an international group of experts and does not necessarily represent the decisions or the stated policy of the International Commission of Non- Ionizing Radiation Protection, the International Labour Organization, or the World Health Organization. Environmental Health Criteria 238 EXTREMELY LOW FREQUENCY FIELDS Published under the joint sponsorship of the International Labour Organization, the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection, and the World Health Organization. WHO Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data Extremely low frequency fields. (Environmental health criteria ; 238) 1.Electromagnetic fields. 2.Radiation effects. 3.Risk assessment. 4.Envi- ronmental exposure. I.World Health Organization. II.Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals. III.Series. ISBN 978 92 4 157238 5 (NLM classification: QT 34) ISSN 0250-863X © World Health Organization 2007 All rights reserved. Publications of the World Health Organization can be obtained from WHO Press, World Health Organization, 20 Avenue Appia, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland (tel.: +41 22 791 3264; fax: +41 22 791 4857; e- mail: [email protected]). Requests for permission to reproduce or translate WHO publications – whether for sale or for noncommercial distribution – should be addressed to WHO Press, at the above address (fax: +41 22 791 4806; e-mail: [email protected]). The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the World Health Organization concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.
    [Show full text]
  • Conflicts of Interest and Misleading Statements in Official Reports About
    magnetochemistry Article Conflicts of Interest and Misleading Statements in Official Reports about the Health Consequences of Radiofrequency Radiation and Some New Measurements of Exposure Levels Susan Pockett School of Psychology, University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand; [email protected] Received: 29 March 2019; Accepted: 25 April 2019; Published: 5 May 2019 Abstract: Official reports to governments throughout the Western world attempt to allay public concern about the increasing inescapability of the microwaves (also known as radiofrequency radiation or RF) emitted by “smart” technologies, by repeating the dogma that the only proven biological effect of RF is acute tissue heating, and assuring us that the levels of radiation to which the public are exposed are significantly less than those needed to cause acute tissue heating. The present paper first shows the origin of this “thermal-only” dogma in the military paranoia of the 1950s. It then reveals how financial conflict of interest and intentionally misleading statements have been powerful factors in preserving that dogma in the face of now overwhelming evidence that it is false, using one 2018 report to ministers of the New Zealand government as an example. Lastly, some new pilot measurements of ambient RF power densities in Auckland city are reported and compared with levels reported in other cities, various international exposure limits, and levels shown scientifically to cause biological harm. It is concluded that politicians in the Western world should stop accepting soothing reports from individuals with blatant conflicts of interest and start taking the health and safety of their communities seriously. Keywords: radiofrequency radiation; RF; microwave; cellphone; smart technology; public health; cancer; diabetes; depression; dementia 1.
    [Show full text]
  • IHMRI Annual Report 2014-2015
    ANNUAL REPORT 2014–2015 CONTENTS OVERVIEW 1 Message from the IHMRI Chair 3 About IHMRI 4 RESEARCH PROGRAM 5 Research Program Highlights 6 Chronic Conditions and Lifestyle 7 Diagnostics and Therapeutics 13 Mental Health and the Ageing Brain 20 Illawarra Insights 24 IHMRI-AFFILIATED RESEARCHERS AND NETWORK 27 IHMRI-Affiliated Researchers 28 Collaborators 29 IHMRI Network 30 GRANT SUCCESS 31 Australian Competitive Grants 32 Other Grant Programs 35 IHMRI Grants 36 MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS 39 Achievements 40 GOVERNANCE INFORMATION 49 Board and Committees 50 Stakeholder Support 51 FINANCIAL INFORMATION 52 PUBLICATIONS 53 CONTACT DETAILS Communications Coordinator Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute Building 32, University of Wollongong campus, Front Cover: IHMRI Chair, New South Wales, Australia, 2522 Professor Alan Pettigrew with Dr Aleta Pupovac who this year T: +61 2 4221 4333 completed a PhD in immunology. F: +61 2 4221 8130 E: [email protected] CONTACT DETAILS Communications Coordinator Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute Building 32, University of Wollongong campus, New South Wales, Australia, 2522 OVERVIEW T: +61 2 4221 4333 F: +61 2 4221 8130 Above: IHMRI Post Doc Dr Hua (Peter) Zhao (back) with E: [email protected] PhD candidate, Benjamin Buckley. 1 OUR VISION Excellence, innovation and growth in health and medical research, supporting better health care and leading to a healthier Illawarra community. OUR PURPOSE To build a nationally and internationally-recognised centre of health and medical research targeting regionally- relevant health improvements through novel treatments, better clinical practice and preventative health. OUR GOALS • achieve excellence, innovation and translation in targeted health and medical research • enhance the resourcing of health and medical research in the region • shape an environment that builds research capacity and fosters collaboration • inform and engage our local community, the broader public and international audiences • continually develop our organisation and our people for a sustainable future.
    [Show full text]
  • Characterization of Radiation Dose and Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk Due to Natural Radionuclides in Soils from Some Cities in Southwestern Nigeria
    Research Article J Forensic Sci & Criminal Inves Volume - 10 Issue 4 - September 2018 Copyright © All rights are reserved by Ibikunle Sunday Babatunde DOI: 10.19080/JFSCI.2018.10.555793 Characterization of Radiation dose and Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk Due to Natural Radionuclides in soils from Some Cities in Southwestern Nigeria Ibikunle SB*, Arogunjo AM and Ajayi OS Departmet of physics, federal university of technology, Nigeria Submission: August 15, 2018; Published: September 10, 2018 *Corresponding author: Ibikunle Sunday Babatunde, Department of Physics, The Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria, Tel: Email: Abstract Southwestern Nigeria. The samples were analysed for radioactivity using the co-axial type Hyper-Pure Germanium (HPGe) detector (CANBERRA, U.S.).Activity The mean concentrations activity concentrations of natural radionuclides of 40K, 226Ra, 232andTh artificial and 137Cs radio were caesium 477.69 Bq have kg-1 been, 52.05 determined Bq kg-1, 85.84 in soil Bq samples kg-1 and from 1.60 thirty-six Bq kg-1, respectively. locations in The radium equivalent concentration and the external and internal hazard indices were estimated to range from 28.47 to 701.53 Bq kg-1, 0.08 to 1.89, and 0.10 to 2.33, with mean values of 210.57 Bq kg-1, 0.57, and 0.71, respectively. The mean absorbed dose and the mean annual outdoor effective dose equivalent in soil samples were 95.40 nGy h-1 and 0.117 mSv y-1 respectively. The mean annual effective dose equivalent for the study area is higher than the world average (0.07 mSv y-1) and international permissible standards of 0.1 mSv y-1 recommended by World Health Organization (WHO).
    [Show full text]
  • 3Rd International EMF Seminar in China 13-17 October 2003 Guilin, China
    3rd International EMF Seminar in China 13-17 October 2003 Guilin, China Meeting Summary The 3rd International EMF Seminar in China: Electromagnetic Fields and Biological Effects, which was postponed due to the SARS epidemic from 18-22 April to 13-17 October 2003, was held in Guilin, China. The meeting was sponsored by the Chinese Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization, and the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection, and hosted by the Bioelectromagnetic Laboratory, Zhejiang University, and the National Institute for Environmental Health and Related Product Safety, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. 136 participants came to the seminar from China, Hong Kong China, Taiwan China, Japan, Korea, USA, Australia, Russia, Switzerland, Sweden, Germany, France, UK, Italy, Belgium, Finland, Austria, Bulgaria, Brazil, Malaysia, and Singapore. Among the participants, 79 were domestic and 57 were foreign attendees. The organizing committee was happy to see representatives from the Chinese government departments, e.g. State Council, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Information Industry, State Environmental Protection Administration, State Administration of Radio, Film & TV, and Standardization Administration of China, etc. Meanwhile, three international organizations sent official representatives to the meeting, including Dr. Michael Repacholi, Coordinator of the International EMF Project from WHO, Dr. Shengli Niu from the International Labour Oraganization, and Dr. Bernard Veyret from the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection. The conference accepted 111 abstracts/papers, and 98 of them were reported in different sessions. The seminar provided a central forum covering all aspects of electromagnetic fields (EMF), including direct current (DC), extremely low frequency (ELF), and radio frequency (RF) fields.
    [Show full text]
  • WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION GLOBAL ATMOSPHERE WATCH Report of the WMO-WHO Meeting of Experts on Standardization of UV Indi
    qAvJ 1'2.1- T.D <J ZI I WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION GLOBAL ATMOSPHERE WATCH '- No. 127 Report of the WMO-WHO Meeting of Experts on Standardization of UV Indices and their Dissemination to the Public (les Diablerets, Switzerlaod, 21-24 July 1997) "r•T\Y • t'01/-'' ', I. ~V ~~) ' "'""-!!o ..,..:.,.,·· ___ r.. ._,_~I'Ti lh \J./ ,.;; f} er . 'f ~-/: <--· ... : ·"' :· J ?. ~ ..: j, - •• • WMO/TD-No. 921 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. OPENING OF THE MEETING ............................................................... 1 2. MEETING ARRANGEMENTS ................................................................ 1 3. MEASUREMENTS, MODELLING AND QUALITY CONTROL ............... 2 4. UV INDEX PROGRAMMES ................................................................... 5 5. EFFECTIVENESS OF INDICES AND DISSEMINATION TO THE PUBLIC .................................................................................... 7 6. CLOSURE OF THE MEETING ............................................................. 11 ANNEX A: Agenda ................................................................................... 13 ANNEX 8: Meeting Programme ............................................................... 15 ANNEX C: List of Participants .................................................................. 19 ANNEX D: Presentations to the session on Measurements, Modelling and Quality Control .................................................................. 27 ANNEXE: Presentations to the session of UV Index Programmes .......... 93 ANNEX F: Presentations to the
    [Show full text]
  • Electromagnetic Fields and Public Health
    Recent years have witnessed an unprecedented Electromagnetic fields increase in the number and diversity of sources of electromagnetic fields (EMF) used for individual, and public health industrial and commercial purposes. Television, radio, computers, mobile cellular phones, micro- wave ovens, radar, and equipment used in industry, medicine, and commerce are just some of these sources. They have made our life richer and easier. Modern society is inconceivable without computers, television, and radio. Mobile phones have greatly enhanced communication between individuals and have facilitated the dispatch of emergency medical and police aid to persons in both urban and rural environments. Radar makes air travel much safer. At the same time, there is concern about possible health risks associated with the use of these and other technologies that utilize EMF. Human-made EMF associated with these uses belong to that part of the electromagnetic spec- trum called non-ionizing radiation (NIR) because its photon energies are too weak to break atomic bonds. They include ultraviolet (UV) radiation, vis- ible light, infrared radiation, radiofrequency (RF) and microwave fields, extremely low frequency fields (ELF), and static electric and magnetic fields. Some scientific studies have implicated RF waves associated with modern technologies in in- creased risks of cancer, particularly in children. Evi- dence has been adduced suggesting that environ- mental exposures to these fields may cause memory loss, reduced fertility, and adverse changes in the behavior and development of children. To date, epidemiologic studies attempting to confirm such an association have yielded inconsistent results, partly because of differences in design, execution, and method of interpretation. Potential RF associa- tions with disease must be investigated until they are either established or disproved.
    [Show full text]
  • Briefing for the States of Jersey Sub-Panel on Mobile Phone Masts Dr Michael Repacholi Former Coordinator, Radiation and Environ
    Briefing for the States of Jersey Sub-Panel on Mobile Phone Masts Dr Michael Repacholi Former Coordinator, Radiation and Environmental Health, World Health Organization From February 2007, Visiting Professor, University of Rome, Italy Qualifications A brief summary of my qualifications and professional status is given as Appendix 1. My main experience on mobile telephony and health comes from the 11 years I spent managing the International Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) Project at the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva. During this period I was Coordinator of the Radiation and Environmental Unit that was responsible for the entire radiation health and safety programme within WHO. I was also the only foreign specialist on the much quoted UK Stewart Committee investigating mobile phones and health. I retired from WHO on 30 June 2006, and so I do not represent or speak on their behalf, but have a very good knowledge of WHO’s operating procedures, activities and publications. Introduction The Health, Social Security and Housing Scrutiny Panel established a Sub-Panel to consider public concerns relating to perceived health effects resulting from the increase in applications for mobile phone mast installations, following the recent expansion of the mobile telephony market. In undertaking this review the Sub-Panel will have regard to Advice provided by the Health Protection Department; International standards and best practice in respect of health precautions; Health concerns raised by the Public; and Reporting its findings and recommendations to the States. My briefing to the Sub-Panel is in response to a general call for evidence prior to the hearing dates.
    [Show full text]
  • THE INTERNATIONAL EMF PROJECT Minutes of the 10Th Meeting of the International Advisory Committee 13-14 June 2005 Geneva, Switzerland
    THE INTERNATIONAL EMF PROJECT Minutes of the 10th Meeting of the International Advisory Committee 13-14 June 2005 Geneva, Switzerland Note that all presentations made at the IAC meeting are available at: http://www.who.int/pehemf/meetings/archive/iac_geneva_june2005/en/index.html Dr Michael Repacholi, WHO Co-ordinator, Radiation and Environmental Health Unit, welcomed the participants to the 10th Anniversary Meeting of the International Advisory Committee (IAC) of the WHO International Electromagnetic Fields Project. Dr Bernard Veyret (France) was elected chairman and Dr. Qinghua He (China) was elected vice chairman. Dr Michael Repacholi then presented the Project's organization and update of activities. This year, there were nearly 80 attendees at the IAC. New countries and entities included Bahrain, Greece, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority and Portugal and new representatives of several member countries have joined the EMF Project since last year. Report on WHO Static Fields Health Risk Assessment Dr Eric van Rongen presented a report on the WHO Health Risk Assessment of static fields. The EHC was to include both Static and Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) Fields, but a review of the literature revealed an extensive database for static fields themselves and it was decided to develop separate EHCs for ELF and Static Fields. A task group meeting for Static Fields EHC was held in WHO, Geneva on 6-10 December 2004. Follow-up work including scientific editing, reference checking and language editing has been finalized. Translation of the summary and recommendations in various languages is in progress. Report on Progress report on WHO ELF Fields Health Risk Assessment Dr Emilie van Deventer presented a progress report on the WHO ELF Fields Health Risk Assessment, outlining the background to WHO EHC, existing and proposed EHCs on EMF, the EHC process, progress with the daft of EHC and current timetable.
    [Show full text]