Repacholi presentation2 risk assessment

Dr Mike RepacholiDr Mike RepacholiUniversity of Rome University of Rome “La Sapienza”“La Sapienza”

Former Coordinator, WHO Program on Former Coordinator, WHO Program on Radiation and Environmental HealthRadiation and Environmental Health

Chairman Emeritus, ICNIRPChairman Emeritus, ICNIRP

Public concern about mobile phones and Public concern about mobile phones and base stations has continued for yearsbase stations has continued for years

Possible health consequences being the Possible health consequences being the main reason. Brain cancer from mobile main reason. Brain cancer from mobile phone use is still a major issuephone use is still a major issue

Base Base stationsstations

andand mobile mobile phonesphones

WiFi Networks are now WiFi Networks are now common in schools, airports, common in schools, airports, business centres and business centres and residential buildingsresidential buildings

Cafeteria at Cafeteria at WHO HQ, WHO HQ,

GenevaGeneva

Risk assessment to risk communicationRisk assessment to risk communicationProcess used world wide Process used world wide

Evaluate scientific evidenceEvaluate scientific evidence Report current status of knowledgeReport current status of knowledge Identify gaps in knowledge Identify gaps in knowledge Promote and facilitate research programsPromote and facilitate research programs Conduct health risk assessments, risk estimationConduct health risk assessments, risk estimation Develop policy options for national authorities to Develop policy options for national authorities to

protect the public and workers from any risksprotect the public and workers from any risks Communicate any risks and be open with the publicCommunicate any risks and be open with the public Keep the public informedKeep the public informed Repeat this process at appropriate intervals as new Repeat this process at appropriate intervals as new

research information becomes availableresearch information becomes available

Scientific reviewScientific review

Evaluate scientific evidence: Evaluate scientific evidence: All the science must All the science must be assessed to determine whether studies indicate be assessed to determine whether studies indicate any health risk. Where there is conflicting results, any health risk. Where there is conflicting results, a weight-of-evidence from high quality studies is a weight-of-evidence from high quality studies is used to make conclusionsused to make conclusions

Report current status of knowledge: Report current status of knowledge: Publish the Publish the results of reviews so everyone know what we results of reviews so everyone know what we know and where we need more information.know and where we need more information.

Identify gaps in knowledge: Identify gaps in knowledge: It is important to It is important to know what further research is needed to increase know what further research is needed to increase our knowledge to make better health risk our knowledge to make better health risk assessments. assessments.

BiologicalBiological andand HealthHealth EffectsEffectsWorking definitions for health risk assessments

A A biological effect biological effect is a measurable is a measurable physiological response to EMF exposure… physiological response to EMF exposure… not necessarily hazardous… this must be not necessarily hazardous… this must be evaluated. evaluated.

An An adverse health effect adverse health effect is a biological effect is a biological effect outside the body's normal range of outside the body's normal range of physiological compensation that is physiological compensation that is detrimental to health or well-being. These are detrimental to health or well-being. These are the only effects that health protection the only effects that health protection programs should addressprograms should address

ResearchResearch

PromotePromote and facilitate research programs:and facilitate research programs:

From reviewing the various studies we can make From reviewing the various studies we can make certain conclusions about health risks, but in certain conclusions about health risks, but in other areas of health we need to do targeted other areas of health we need to do targeted research to fill gaps in our knowledge. research to fill gaps in our knowledge.

WHO promotes research to fill these gaps and WHO promotes research to fill these gaps and provides excellent information to researchers provides excellent information to researchers around the world on what studies will be useful around the world on what studies will be useful to WHOto WHO’’s health risk assessment processs health risk assessment process

KEYKEY RESEARCHRESEARCH ISSUESISSUES

• Are children more sensitive to EMF than Are children more sensitive to EMF than adults?adults?

All evidence so far indicates children are not more sensitive than adults to RF

• Will mobile phone use for >15 years Will mobile phone use for >15 years cause brain cancers?cause brain cancers?

This is being addressed by cohort studies Evidence so far is that this is not the case

RiskRisk assessmentassessment

When most research has been completed to fill When most research has been completed to fill gaps in knowledge, we conduct health risk gaps in knowledge, we conduct health risk assessments and make estimates of any risks to assessments and make estimates of any risks to health from exposure to RF signals. WHO is health from exposure to RF signals. WHO is currently conducting this process for RF and it currently conducting this process for RF and it will be published as an Environmental Health will be published as an Environmental Health Criteria Monograph (EHC).Criteria Monograph (EHC).

The EHC will include policy options for national The EHC will include policy options for national authorities to protect the public and workers authorities to protect the public and workers from any risks to health from exposure to RFfrom any risks to health from exposure to RF

RiskRisk communicationcommunication

It is very important to communicate any health risks It is very important to communicate any health risks to the public. to the public.

Updated reviews by government agencies on the Updated reviews by government agencies on the status of the science, in the form of press releases status of the science, in the form of press releases or other communications, is very important to or other communications, is very important to maintain public confidence that the government is maintain public confidence that the government is knowledgeable about RF and health effects. knowledgeable about RF and health effects.

Be open with the public and clear about what we Be open with the public and clear about what we know and donknow and don’’t know.t know.

WHO provides the very best source of information WHO provides the very best source of information for national and local governments in RF health for national and local governments in RF health issues.issues.

KeepKeep abreastabreast ofof thethe sciencescience

RepeatRepeat the whole risk assessment process at the whole risk assessment process at appropriate intervals as new research appropriate intervals as new research information becomes availableinformation becomes available

Keep the public informed so they have Keep the public informed so they have confidence that regulators and health protection confidence that regulators and health protection agencies are well-informed and can act if any agencies are well-informed and can act if any health risk is foundhealth risk is found

Use information from WHO as your basis for any Use information from WHO as your basis for any necessary actions: There are many activists and necessary actions: There are many activists and activist publications (Bioinitiative report) to activist publications (Bioinitiative report) to misinform and scare the public unnecessarilymisinform and scare the public unnecessarily

BioInitiativeBioInitiative Report (2012)Report (2012)

• PublishedPublished by Sage and Associates; well known activist in by Sage and Associates; well known activist in USAUSA

• Reviewers include Louis Slesin editor of an activist Reviewers include Louis Slesin editor of an activist newsletternewsletter

• Chapters produced by individual authors; not a Chapters produced by individual authors; not a consensus reportconsensus report

• Claims Claims EMF causes many diseases..none established by EMF causes many diseases..none established by any national or international review, including WHOany national or international review, including WHO

• Recommends limit 0.1 µW/cmRecommends limit 0.1 µW/cm22 (because other activist (because other activist meetings suggested this) and stop WiFi until more meetings suggested this) and stop WiFi until more research doneresearch done

• An attempt to put the activist view in a An attempt to put the activist view in a “scientific” report“scientific” report• WHO uses all the literature and a weight-of-evidence WHO uses all the literature and a weight-of-evidence

approachapproach

World Health OrganizationWorld Health Organization

WHO has been studying the possible health effects of WHO has been studying the possible health effects of RF for over 18 years: it’RF for over 18 years: it’s the best source of information s the best source of information on EMF and health riskson EMF and health risks

WHO gathers the best scientists together, who have the WHO gathers the best scientists together, who have the necessary range of disciplines to review the scientific necessary range of disciplines to review the scientific studies and assess if there are any health risksstudies and assess if there are any health risks

WHO reports on progress with the research, updates its WHO reports on progress with the research, updates its research agenda as needed, and is now conducting a research agenda as needed, and is now conducting a formal health risk assessment process (EHC)formal health risk assessment process (EHC)

WHO provides easily understood factual information on WHO provides easily understood factual information on its web site: its web site: http://www.who.int/peh-emf/en/http://www.who.int/peh-emf/en/

• RF exposures from base stations 0.002% to 2% of RF exposures from base stations 0.002% to 2% of ICNIRP… lower or comparable to radio or TVICNIRP… lower or comparable to radio or TV

• Only established health effect from RF fields.. Only established health effect from RF fields.. increase in body temperature (>1°C). Basis for increase in body temperature (>1°C). Basis for ICNIRP guidelines. Need high field intensities to ICNIRP guidelines. Need high field intensities to increase temperature increase temperature

• No significant temperature rise from weak wireless No significant temperature rise from weak wireless network RF signals network RF signals

• RF signals from wireless technologies in public areas RF signals from wireless technologies in public areas (e.g. schools and hospitals) normally 1000s times (e.g. schools and hospitals) normally 1000s times below ICNIRPbelow ICNIRP

WHO Fact Sheet #304 (May 2006)WHO Fact Sheet #304 (May 2006)

Base stations and wireless technologies (1)Base stations and wireless technologies (1)

• Body absorbs up to 5x more RF from FM radio and Body absorbs up to 5x more RF from FM radio and TV than base stations… Because radio and TV use TV than base stations… Because radio and TV use lower frequencies that the body absorbs more of lower frequencies that the body absorbs more of than the higher mobile phone frequenciesthan the higher mobile phone frequencies

• Radio and TV have operated for over 50 years Radio and TV have operated for over 50 years without any known health consequence… without any known health consequence…

• Digital versus analogue signals? There seems to be Digital versus analogue signals? There seems to be no unique health effects due to different RF no unique health effects due to different RF modulation because base station and wireless modulation because base station and wireless technology signals are too weak… modulation technology signals are too weak… modulation effects occur at much higher levels…effects occur at much higher levels…

WHO Fact Sheet #304 (May 2006)WHO Fact Sheet #304 (May 2006)


•Not established that RF fields from base station Not established that RF fields from base station cause cancercause cancer

• Reported cancers in clusters are often a collection of Reported cancers in clusters are often a collection of different types of cancer with no common causedifferent types of cancer with no common cause

•Cancers are unevenly distributed among populations Cancers are unevenly distributed among populations so it is expected cancer clusters will occur near base so it is expected cancer clusters will occur near base stations merely by chance… because base stations stations merely by chance… because base stations are everywhereare everywhere

WHO Fact Sheet #304 (May2006)WHO Fact Sheet #304 (May2006)


Health effects: CancerHealth effects: Cancer

WHO Fact Sheet #193 (June 2011)WHO Fact Sheet #193 (June 2011)

MobileMobile phones (1)phones (1)

Short-term health effectsShort-term health effects

• Studies have investigated the effects of RF fields on Studies have investigated the effects of RF fields on brain electrical activity, cognitive function, sleep, brain electrical activity, cognitive function, sleep, heart rate and blood pressure in volunteers. No heart rate and blood pressure in volunteers. No consistent evidence of adverse health effects from consistent evidence of adverse health effects from exposure to RF fields at levels below those that exposure to RF fields at levels below those that cause tissue heatingcause tissue heating

• No support for a causal relationship between No support for a causal relationship between exposure to RF and self-reported symptoms, or exposure to RF and self-reported symptoms, or ‘electromagnetic hypersensitivity’‘electromagnetic hypersensitivity’

• While an increased risk of brain tumors is not While an increased risk of brain tumors is not established, the increasing use of mobile phones established, the increasing use of mobile phones and the lack of data for mobile phone use over time and the lack of data for mobile phone use over time periods longer than 15 years warrant further periods longer than 15 years warrant further research on mobile phone use and brain cancer research on mobile phone use and brain cancer riskrisk

• With the recent popularity of mobile phone use With the recent popularity of mobile phone use among younger people, and therefore a potentially among younger people, and therefore a potentially longer lifetime of exposure, WHO has promoted longer lifetime of exposure, WHO has promoted further research on this groupfurther research on this group


Mobile phones (2)Mobile phones (2)

Health effects: Brain cancerHealth effects: Brain cancer

• No adverse short- or long-term health effects from No adverse short- or long-term health effects from weak RF signals produced by base stations or weak RF signals produced by base stations or wireless technologies or from mobile phones wireless technologies or from mobile phones

See:See:http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs304/en/index.htmlhttp://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs304/en/index.html

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs193/en/index.html#http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs193/en/index.html#


Mobile phones (3)Mobile phones (3)

Health effects: ConclusionHealth effects: Conclusion

• The same conclusion has been reached by The same conclusion has been reached by EVERYEVERY major international and national review major international and national review

For a listing of these reviews see: For a listing of these reviews see: http://www.elettra2000.it/scienza/docs2.htm#inglesehttp://www.elettra2000.it/scienza/docs2.htm#inglese

• Its important to realise that peoplesIts important to realise that peoples’’ perceptions perceptions and conclusions may not be based on all the and conclusions may not be based on all the facts facts

• We need good quality science to confirm the We need good quality science to confirm the facts about RF health effects and to disseminate facts about RF health effects and to disseminate information to the publicinformation to the public

• But how to communicate?But how to communicate?

Peoples’ perceptions of riskPeoples’ perceptions of risk

Dealing with PeopleDealing with People’s Perceptions of ’s Perceptions of EMF RisksEMF Risks

http://www.who.int/peh-emf/publications/risk_hand/en/index.htmlhttp://www.who.int/peh-emf/publications/risk_hand/en/index.html

Continue research: see WHOContinue research: see WHO’’s RF research s RF research agendaagenda

Rely on risk assessments that use all the scientific Rely on risk assessments that use all the scientific literature and a weight-of-evidence approach, such literature and a weight-of-evidence approach, such as WHO EHCs and ICNIRP guidelinesas WHO EHCs and ICNIRP guidelines

Communicate protection measures to the public, Communicate protection measures to the public, press and government agencies using soundly press and government agencies using soundly based facts and policies through dedicated web based facts and policies through dedicated web sites, brochures, press releases and interviews.sites, brochures, press releases and interviews.

Disseminate information in an easily understood Disseminate information in an easily understood languagelanguage

RF fields:RF fields:Way forward for national authoritiesWay forward for national authorities

Options to reduce RF field exposure Options to reduce RF field exposure from mobile telecommunicationsfrom mobile telecommunications

Base stationsBase stations• Co-location of antennas where practicableCo-location of antennas where practicable• Use of best practice engineering for antennasUse of best practice engineering for antennas• Optimize the network of antennasOptimize the network of antennas

Mobile phonesMobile phones• Use hands-free kitsUse hands-free kits• Use loud-speaker optionUse loud-speaker option• Text instead of callingText instead of calling• Reduce call timesReduce call times

What should policymakers do?What should policymakers do?

Get SOUND advise on EMF from reputable bodies Get SOUND advise on EMF from reputable bodies like WHO…its available on their web site at: like WHO…its available on their web site at: http://www.who.int/peh-emf/en/http://www.who.int/peh-emf/en/

WHO Fact Sheets exist on ALL EMF topics e.g. the WHO Fact Sheets exist on ALL EMF topics e.g. the most pertinent fact sheets mobile phones and on most pertinent fact sheets mobile phones and on mobile phone base stations and wireless networks mobile phone base stations and wireless networks are in Spanishare in Spanish

Adopt international standards; over 50 countries, Adopt international standards; over 50 countries, including the European Commission already haveincluding the European Commission already have

Inform your population that Peru uses Inform your population that Peru uses international standards based on sound science; international standards based on sound science; you will get greater trust and acceptanceyou will get greater trust and acceptance

Dr Mike RepacholiUniversity of Rome “La Sapienza”

Email: [email protected]

Thank you! Thank you! Muchas gracias!Muchas gracias!

Law

Repacholi presentation2 risk assessment