Under-estimation of the effects of magnetic fields
The use of animals in research has led to a dangerous and gross underestimation of the effects of magnetic fields on Man.
In May 2002, an international conference on "Electromagnetic Environments and Health in Buildings" was held at the Royal College of Physicians in London. Dr. Zenon Sienkiewicz of the NRPB spoke at this conference. The conference gave rise to a book based on the contributions of the speakers. This book, with the same title as the conference, was published early in 2004 (Spon Press, London and New York). The following is an extract from a chapter produced by Dr. Sienkiewicz ("Exposure Guidelines for Electromagnetic Fields and Radiation: Past, Present and Future").
"Biological studies with animals and isolated cells in culture do not provide any convincing evidence of an increased risk of cancer from magnetic fields of less than 100 microtesla, although the possibility exists that some modest changes in cell biochemistry may occur in higher fields. Consistent behavioural changes in animals exposed to electric fields in excess of about 5 kV m' are attributed to surface charge effects and subtle and reversible neurobehavioral changes may occur in fields above 100 microtesla or so. Other parameters have been assessed but there is little evidence for any consistent detrimental responses. Electric or magnetic fields do not appear to impair reproduction or development in animals."
Thus the NRPB (which advises government, and is now known as the HPA-RPD) set the human safety level for magnetic fields at 100 microtesla, on the basis of animal experiments. In March 2004, however, in the wake of human epidemiological studies showing a statistically significant relationship between childhood leukaemia and magnetic fields, the NRPB recommended a precautionary safety level of 0.4 microtesla.
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