EMF and Health: state of the science Bernard Veyret University of Bordeaux, France of Bordeaux, France b.veyret@enscpb.

1. EMF and Health: state of the science Bernard Veyret University of Bordeaux, France of Bordeaux, France b.veyret@enscpb.fr

2. Outline • Introduction • Research ELF • Research RF • Mechanisms • Exposure systems • Laboratory studies • Epidemiology • Health risk assessment • Conclusion Cairo, October 04

3. Electromagnetic spectrum mm ELF intermediate RF static 50/60 Hz Transport of electricity 900, 1800 MHz Mobile telephony Cairo, October 04

4. Evaluation by ICNIRP 1- data from each study 2- specific health effect Scientific criteria Research Recommendations 1- advice 2- basic restriction 3- limit values Global evaluation Coherence of data Cairo, October 04

5. Biological models Dosimetry Scientific approaches Biological effect ≠ Health effect Context epidemiology human animal cells Foundations Cairo, October 04

6. ELF research • Much less research activity than in RF • Dozens of epidemiological studies (mainly residential) • Association between exposure and childhood leukaemia (x 2 above 0.4 microteslas) • No initiation nor promotion of cancer in animal • Mechanisms well known above threshold • Exposure limit in terms of current (A/m2) • Classified as 2B (possible carcinogen) by IARC Cairo, October 04

7. RF research and mobile telephony Thermal vs. Non-thermal effects • A thermal effect is due to DT (or triggering of thermoregulation) • Exposure to base stations is negligible (ca. 1/10000 of the limit) • Exposure to mobile telephones is close to the limit (ca. 1/10 of the limit) • Temperature elevation in the skin is minimal and < 0.1°C at the periphery of the brain Cairo, October 04

8. Specific aborption rate (SAR) • SAR is the metric for local or whole-bodydeposition of microwave power • SAR in W kg–1 • SAR = c ∆T / ∆t • ICNIRP’s exposure guidelines: basic restriction • local exposure: 2 W kg–1 averaged over 10 g • whole-body exposure: 0.08 W kg–1 Cairo, October 04

9. T = f(SAR) Temperature SAR Hirata et al., IEEE Trans EMC 2003 Cairo, October 04

10. Research activity • 15 M€ / year worldwide • International programmes • EU (Interphone, Perform A&B, Reflex, Cemfec, Ramp, Guard, EMF-NET) • Other multicenter programmes • National programmes • Italy, UK, Finland, France, etc. • Japan • Australia • Industry • ARIB, MMF, GSMA,etc. Cairo, October 04

11. WHO database Cancer relevant or related Cairo, October 04

12. WHO database Non-cancer studies Cairo, October 04

13. Mechanisms • Threshold mechanism is assumed: thermal effects are well established • Heating is the only mechanism accepted so far but others are being investigated Cairo, October 04

14. Coplanar Waveguide system Shorted waveguide Wire patch antenna Exposure systems: in vitro Cairo, October 04

15. Loop antenna carousel Ferris’ wheel Exposure systems: in vivo Cairo, October 04

16. Cellular studies • Genotoxicity (DNA damage, SCE, MN, etc.) • Apoptosis • Proliferation • Transformation • Gene expression • Enzyme activity (ODC, NOS2, etc.) • Gap junctions • Heat shock proteins (HSP) No overall evidence of genotoxicity; Open questions: HSPs, role of genomics & proteomics? Cairo, October 04

17. Animal studies: cancer • Long-term bioassays • 8 published studies : negative • 2 ongoing studies • 1 planned study • Promotion studies • 10 published studies • All negative but that of Repacholi etal. 97 • 8 studies ongoing (incl. replications) Generally no effects observed Cairo, October 04

18. Animal studies: non-cancer • Behaviour • perception, work stoppage, endurance, activity, learning and memory, performance • Evidence of effects at SAR above 4 W kg–1 (whole-body) • Reproduction and development • very few studies related to mobile telephony • Blood-brain-barrier (BBB), hearing, skin, immune system All positive effects seem to be related to temperature increase Cairo, October 04

19. Human studies • CNS • Sleep/EEG • Cognitive and behavioural functions (memory, task performance, reaction times, etc.) • Cardiovascular system • heart rate, • arterial pressure,etc. • Hearing • Hypersensitivity Inconsistent data. No conclusive evidence of effects Cairo, October 04

20. Epidemiological studies • Mainly on cancer • Mainly on mobile telephones • 8 published studies: negative but not informative(exposure assessment, statistical power,lag period, etc.) • Interphone (13 countries), coordinated by IARC: • tumours of head and neck • one paper already published, more to come • conclusion by the end of 2005? Cairo, October 04

21. Health risk assessment • ICNIRPhad a statement on mobile telephony in 1996 • WHOhas reviewed the science on RF and health and issued research recommendations in June 2003 • The main conclusion from these reviews and others is that EMF exposures below the limits recommended by ICNIRP guidelines do not appear to have any known impact on health Cairo, October 04

22. Health risk assessment (cont.) • However, there are still some key gaps in knowledge requiring further research to provide definitive health risk assessments • IARC will issue a cancer classification of RFR in 2005 and WHO and ICNIRP’s evaluations on RFR and health are due in 2006. Cairo, October 04

23. Conclusion • Major research activity • Many national and international expert-group reports published • Weight of scientific evidence today does not support health concerns or indicate any health risks from mobile phones in normal use • Usage will change and exposure of the head will tend to decrease • Open questions include a potential greater sensitivity of children Cairo, October 04