FAQs on Power-Frequency Fields (EMF) and Cancer

["John Moulder" <jmoulder@post.its.mcw.edu>]

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Power-Frequency Fields (EMF) and Cancer

This 8-part FAQ sheet (v3.4.1) was posted to sci.med.physics,
sci.answers, and news.answers on 20-Feb-96.

(v3.4.1, 20-Feb-96):  Two new epidemiology reviews were added, one general and 
one specifically on brain cancer in electrical occupations.  Two new studies 
on childhood brain cancer and residence near powerlines, both showing no 
association, were added.  Discussion of the "Henshaw thesis" that powerlines 
cause cancer by concentrating alpha-emitting radon daughters was added.    

The primary anonymous FTP archive is:
FTP://ftp.mcw.edu/pub/emf-and-cancer
This archive contains a 1-part version of the posted 8-part FAQ sheet.
It may also contain an updated, but not yet posted version; a BinHex version 
(.hqx) of the Mac Word master; and other related documents.  

A secondary anonymous FTP archive is:
cdmas.crc.mcw.edu/pub/powerlines_and_cancer
This archive always contains a 1-part version of the currently posted FAQ 
sheet.

E-mail server:
mail-server@rtfm.mit.edu
-To get the current FAQ you would send the following message
   send /pub/usenet-by-group/news.answers/powerlines-cancer-FAQ/part1
   . . .
   send /pub/usenet-by-group/news.answers/powerlines-cancer-FAQ/part8

* On World Wide Web:
http://www.cis.ohio-state.edu/hypertext/faq/usenet/powerlines-cancer-FAQ
http://www.cs.ruu.nl/wais/html/na-bng/sci.med.physics.html
http://src.doc.ic.ac.uk/usenet/usenet-by-hierarchy/sci/med/physics
http://www.lib.ox.ac.uk/internet/news/faq/sci.med.physics.html

* Part1 *
Full table of contents, changes, sources, acknowledgments, etc.

* Parts 2 thru 5*
- Why is there a concern about power lines and cancer?
- What are the differences between the electromagnetic (EM) energy
associated with power lines and other forms of EM energy?
- How do non-ionizing EM sources cause biological effects?
- What sort of power-frequency fields are common in residences and workplaces, 
and can they be reduced?
- What is known about the relationship between power line corridors and
cancer rates?
- What is known about the relationship between "electrical occupations" and 
cancer rates?
- Do laboratory studies indicate that power-frequency fields can cause
cancer or have biological effects that might be relevant to cancer?
- What criteria do scientists use to evaluate combinations of
laboratory and epidemiologic studies?
- If exposure to power-frequency magnetic fields does not explain the
epidemiologic studies which show increased cancer incidence, what could?
- What is the strongest evidence for and against a connection between power-
frequency fields and cancer?
- What studies are needed to resolve the cancer-EMF issue?
- Is there any evidence that power-frequency fields cause any human health 
hazards, such as birth defects or Alzheimer's disease?
- Are there exposure guidelines for power-frequency fields?
- What about the report that a US government agency (the NCRP) is about to 
recommend strict exposure limits for power-frequency fields.
- What effect do power lines have on property values?
- How do you measure power-frequency magnetic fields?
- Should I buy a house next to a power line?
- What about the new study claiming that radon exposure is increased by the 
presence of power-frequency electric fields.

* Parts 6 thru 8 *
Annotated Bibliography
- Recent Reviews of the Biological and Health Effects of Power-
Frequency Fields
- Epidemiology of Residential and Occupational Exposure to Power-Frequency 
Fields
- Human Studies Related to Power-Frequency Exposure and Cancer
- Biophysics and Dosimetry of Power-Frequency Fields
- Laboratory Studies of Power-Frequency Fields and Cancer
- Laboratory Studies of Power-Frequency Fields and Reproductive
Toxicity
- Regulations and Standards for Ionizing and Non-ionizing EM Sources.




John Moulder (jmoulder@its.mcw.edu)