APS Position on EMF

[Peter Fundarek <p.fundarek@utoronto.ca>]

For the benefit of Jim and others who may be interested in 
the APS position on EMF, I offer the following statement:


<quote>
POWER LINE FIELDS AND PUBLIC HEALTH

Statement by the 
Council of the American Physical Society, April 22, 1995

Physicists are frequently asked to comment on the potential 
dangers of cancer from electromagnetic fields that emanate 
from common power lines and electrical appliances. While 
recognizing that the connection
between power line fields and cancer is an area of 
continuing study by research workers in many disciplines in 
the United States and abroad, we believe that it is possible 
to make several observations based on the
scientific evidence at this time. We also believe that, in 
the interest of making the best use of the finite resources 
available for environmental research and mitigation, it is 
important for professional organizations
to comment on this issue. 

The scientific literature and the reports of reviews by 
other panels show no consistent, significant link between 
cancer and power line fields. This literature includes 
epidemiological studies, research on biological
systems, and analyses of theoretical interaction mechanisms. 
No plausible biophysical mechanisms for the systematic 
initiation or promotion of cancer by these power line fields 
have been identified. Furthermore,
the preponderance of the epidemiological and 
biophysical/biological research findings have failed to 
substantiate those studies which have reported specific 
adverse health effects from exposure to such fields. While
it is impossible to prove that no deleterious health effects 
occur from exposure to any environmental factor, it is 
necessary to demonstrate a consistent, significant, and 
causal relationship before one can conclude
that such effects do occur. From this standpoint, the 
conjectures relating cancer to power line fields have not 
been scientifically substantiated. 

These unsubstantiated claims, however, have generated fears 
of power lines in some communities, leading to expensive 
mitigation efforts, and, in some cases, to lengthy and 
divisive court proceedings. The costs of
mitigation and litigation relating to the power line-cancer 
connection have risen into the billions of dollars and 
threaten to go much higher. The diversion of these resources 
to eliminate a threat which has no
persuasive scientific basis is disturbing to us. More 
serious environmental problems are neglected for lack of 
funding and public attention, and the burden of cost placed 
on the American public is incommensurate
with the risk, if any. 

<end quote>

The above was obtained from EMF-Link, a WWW resource on EMF 
research and information.  It is available at:

http://infoventures.microserve.com

It should also be noted that there is considerable 
controversy surrounding this pronouncement in that there is 
a concern that it was driven by one particular interest, not 
necessarily that of pure physics.

For more information you should check out the web site.

*************************************
Regards,
Peter J. Fundarek
University of Toronto
email:  p.fundarek@utoronto.ca
phone:  (416) 978-2374
fax:  (416) 971-1384

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The opinions and thoughts expressed
in this message are those of the 
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