This publication represents the views and expert opinions of an IARC Working Group on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans, which met in Lyon, 19-26 June 2001.

Recent emphasis upon the importance of the physical environment has made science and the public even more cog nizant of the many components of the biosphere. While much attention has been given to ionizing electromagnetic stimuli which causes blatant and unalterable changes in biological systems, relatively little research has been concerned with those electromagnetic signals whose frequencies overlap with time-varying processes in living organisms. Extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields can occur as waves between about I Hz to 100 Hz or as short pulses within this range of very low frequency (VLF) and higher frequency sources. The natural occurrence of ELF signals is associated with weather changes, solar disturbances and geophysical ionospheric perturbations. Man-made sources have also been reported. Certain physical properties of ELF signals make them excellent candidates for biologically important stimuli. Unlike many other weather components, ELF signals have the capacity to penetrate structures which house living organ isms. ELF wave configurations allow long distance propaga tional capacities without appreciable attenuation of inten sity, thus making them antecedent stimuli to approaching weather changes. Most importantly, ELF signals exhibit the frequencies and wave forms of bio-electrical events that occur within the brain and body. Thus resonance inter actions between animal and nature become attractive possi bilities.

The major emphasis of this book is on physical mechanisms and sources of the ULF/ELF natural electromagnetic fields noises. In the course of this text, some of these mechanisms of magnetospheric origin will be treated in detail and others in a more sketchy fashion, while the global electromagnetic resonances excited by lightning activity and other sources are the priority. The interested reader is referred to the books cited in the text for details about the ULF/ELF fields of magnetospheric origin. Much emphasis is put on studies of electromagnetic phenomena caused by rock deformation/fracture including the ULF/ELF effects possibly associated with tectonic activity, earthquakes and other natural disasters. One of the challenges of this research is to fully understand electromagnetic effects and physical processes in the rocks deep in the Earth’s crust.

Everyone, whether they like it or not, is exposed to electromagnetic fields, most of the time, at very low levels. In this case, they are inconsequential, but they can cause adverse health effects when they become intense enough. This topic is complex and sensitive. Covering frequencies from 0 Hz to 300 GHz, Human Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields provides an overview of this vast topic. After a reminder of the concepts of electromagnetic fields, the author presents some examples of sources of radiation in daily life and in the industrial or medical sectors. The biophysical and biological effects of these fields on the human body are detailed and the exposure limits are recalled. The exposure assessment and the implementation of the appropriate regulation within companies are also covered. Technically and practically, this book is aimed at people with a scientific background, risk prevention actors, health physicians, especially occupational doctors, and equipment designers.

This reference explores the sources, characteristics, bioeffects, and health hazards of extremely low-frequency (ELF) fields and radio frequency radiation (RFR), analyzing current research as well as the latest epidemiological studies to assess potential risks associated with exposure and to develop effective safety guidelines. Compiles reports and investigations from four decades of study on the effect of nonionizing electromagnetic fields and radiation on human health Summarizing modern engineering approaches to control exposure, Electromagnetic Fields and Radiation discusses: EM interaction mechanisms in biological systems Explorations into the impact of EM fields on free radicals, cells, tissues, organs, whole organisms, and the population Regulatory standards in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia Pacific Evaluation of incident fields from various EM sources Measurement surveys for various sites including power lines, substations, mobile systems, cellular base stations, broadcast antennas, traffic radar devices, heating equipment, and other sources Dosimetry techniques for the determination of internal EM fields Conclusions reached by the Food and Drug Administration, World Health Organization, and other institutions