The French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) will be hosting a scientific conference on the theme of “Radiofrequencies and health: research in a fast-moving environment” on 23rd of November 2022 in Paris, France.
You can participate in this event in person or online.
For more details and registration (free of charge), please see the ANSES website.
Following a request from the European Commission, the Scientific Committee on Health, Environmental and Emerging Risks (SCHEER) provided the Preliminary Opinion on the need of a revision of the annexes in the Council Recommendation 1999/519/EC and Directive 2013/35/EU, in view of the latest scientific evidence available with regard to radiofrequency (100 kHz – 300 GHz).
The SCHEER advises positively on the need of a technical revision, because technological advancements and emerging wireless applications, especially in the highest end of the radiofrequency spectrum (millimeter waves), call for the introduction of limits on new dosimetric quantities.
In line with the Stakeholder Dialogue Procedures, the Scientific Committee is now seeking feedback from the scientific community and stakeholders on this Preliminary Opinion.
Interested parties can submit comments online before 25th of September 2022.
For more details, please see the SCHEER website.
The Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) organizes the 7th International Workshop on the Causes of Childhood Leukemia from 28th–30th November 2022 in Munich, Germany. It will also be possible to participate in the workshop online.
For more details, please see the website of the workshop.
The journal PLoS One has published a systematic review conducted by femu entitled: “Systematic review of the physiological and health-related effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure from wireless communication devices on children and adolescents in experimental and epidemiological human studies”.
The aim of this review was to systematically analyze and evaluate the physiological and health-related effects of the exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMF) from wireless communication devices (mobile phones, cordless phones, Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), Bluetooth, base stations, etc.) on children and adolescents. A total of 42 epidemiological and 11 experimental studies were eligible for this review. Overall, the body of evidence allows no final conclusion on the question whether exposure to RF EMF from mobile communication devices poses a particular risk to children and adolescents.
The article can be found in the EMF-Portal, in the PubMed and on the PLOS ONE homepage.
The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) is hosting a Mini-Symposium online and in Nagoya, Japan, 19 June 2022, ahead of the BioEM. This will be an opportunity to learn about ICNIRP and its current and planned activities, get an update on some key radiation safety issues and to address questions.
For more details, please see the website of ICNIRP.
The Swiss Research Foundation for Electricity and Mobile Communication (FSM) will award, in 2022, a total amount of CHF 325,000 for one or two innovative research projects referring to questions about the opportunities and risks of future communication technologies. Interested researchers are invited to submit a pre-proposal by July 08, 2022.
For more details, please see the website of FSM.
The journal Scientific Reports has published an article by femu and co-authors entitled: “The role of the AC component in human perception of AC–DC hybrid electric fields”. The study was motivated by the newly introduced construction of both high-voltage alternating current (HVAC) and high-voltage direct current (HVDC) overhead power lines mounted on the same pylon. The study is based on the previous publications of the femu (Jankowiak et al. 2021 and Kursawe et al. 2021).
The aim of the study was to specify the role of the AC component in the human perception of weak hybrid electric fields (co-exposure to alternating (AC) and static (DC) electric fields). Fifty-one participants with a hybrid EF detection ability above average who participated in a previous study were exposed under highly controlled. A further objective was to evaluate the influence of vibrotactile perception and skin moisture on EF perception.
The article can be found in the EMF-Portal, in Pubmed and on the Homepage of Scientific Reports (open access).
The Journal Frontiers in Public Health, specialty of ‘Radiation and Health‘, has announced the Research Topic on wireless radiation, including 5G. Solely opinion or perspective articles will be included. Submissions are by invitation only, (hence, the submissions are marked as closed). If you are an established expert interested in submitting, please, contact Dariusz Leszczynski directly. You find more details on the webpage of the journal
The Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) organizes the International Workshop "Impact of electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields on oxidative stress” from 16th–18th February 2022 in Cottbus, Germany. it will also be possible to participate in the workshop online.
For more details, please see the website of the Workshop.
The annual meeting of the BIOEM Society, BioEM 2022, will be held in Nagoya, Japan from June 19-24, 2022. BioEM 2022 will offer a hybrid format, allowing both on-site and online participation.
For more details, please see the BioEM 2022 homepage.
The joint annual meeting of the Bioelectromagnetics Society (BEMS) and the European BioElectromagnetics Association (EBEA) will be held in Nagoya, Japan, from June 19th to 24th 2022. The call for abstracts for platform presentations and poster sessions has started now (see instructions for authors). The BioEM 2022 homepage provides further information and dates on the meeting.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is seeking experts to serve as members of the Task Group on Radiofrequency Fields and Health Risks that will contribute to the development of a WHO monograph on Radiofrequency fields. The Call for experts provides information about the Task group in question, the expert profiles being sought, and the application and selection processes.
The deadline for application submission has been extended to 15 December 2021.
You can find further information on the WHO Homepage.
The journal Environmental Health has published an article by femu and co-authors entitled: "Human detection thresholds of DC, AC, and hybrid electric fields: a double-blind study". The study was motivated by the newly introduced construction of both high-voltage alternating current (HVAC) and high-voltage direct current (HVDC) overhead power lines mounted on the same mast. The study is based on the previous publication of the femu (Jankowiak et al. 2021).
The aim of the study was to determine the human detection thresholds for static (DC), alternating (AC), and hybrid electric fields (co-exposure to AC and DC EF; various DC EF strengths, constant AC EF strength). A total of 203 participants were exposed to DC, AC, and hybrid EFs in a highly specialized whole-body exposure laboratory using a double-blind experimental setting. The results indicated that detection thresholds of hybrid EF were lower compared to those of single EF exposure to DC or AC. Additional ion current exposure enhanced EF perception. High relative humidity facilitated DC EF perception, whereas low relative humidity reinforced the perception of AC EFs. With this systematic investigation of human perception of DC, AC, and hybrid EFs, detection thresholds were provided, which can help to improve the construction processes of energy transmission systems and the prevention of unwanted sensory perception.
The article can be found in the EMF-Portal, in Pubmed and on the Environmental Health homepage.
femu is looking for a postdoc in the field of biology, epidemiology, or medicine with immediate effect. Please have a look at our job advertisement (German only). We are looking forward to your application.
femu is looking for a postdoc in the field of electrical engineering, physics, or similar with immediate effect. Please have a look at our job advertisement (German only). We are looking forward to your application.
The European Commission published a call for electromagnetic fields (EMF) and health research within the Horizon Europe Framework Programme (HORIZON). Research actions should provide forward-looking information on potential hazards and risks of existing and emerging EMF exposures. By applying innovative monitoring techniques, experimental evidence and modelling, several activities should be included, for example: monitoring of exposures of the general population and specific groups at risk such as children and workers, establishment of potentially new exposure patterns (e.g., 5G), and investigating evidence of local and systemic biological effects and health impacts.
Deadline for submission is 21st September 2021.
You can find further information on the European Commission homepage.
The journal Bioelectromagnetics has published an article by femu and co-authors entitled: "Identification of Environmental and Experimental Factors Influencing Human Perception of DC and AC Electric Fields”. As part of the energy transition in Germany, high-voltage direct current (HVDC) lines producing DC electric fields (EF) are in planning. Since the human perception of DC EF was rarely investigated in the past, the aim of the study was to investigate human perception of direct current (DC) EF, alternating current (AC) EF, and the co-exposure of DC EF and AC EF (hybrid EF). A highly sophisticated exposure lab was built to expose participants to various EF strengths and to control environmental and experimental factors influencing the human perception. Perception thresholds were lower under hybrid EF exposure than under DC EF or AC EF exposure alone. Relative humidity could be identified as an environmental factor influencing the perception of AC EF and DC EF in different ways. Cutaneous sensations evoked under DC EF and AC EF exposure were individually different and attributed to various parts of the body. Several environmental and experimental factors influencing the human perception of EF could be identified and provide an essential basis for a large-scale study.
The article can be found in the EMF-Portal, in PubMed and on the Bioelectromagnetics homepage.
The Journal Bioelectromagnetics has published a feasibility study conducted by the Institute of Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics (IMBEI) of the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg‐University in Mainz, Germany and femu entitled: "Occupational Exposure to Extremely Low‐Frequency Magnetic Fields and Risk of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Results of a Feasibility Study for a Pooled Analysis of Original Data”. Previous meta‐analyses have suggested an increased risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) associated with occupational exposure to extremely low‐frequency magnetic fields (ELF‐MF). However, since studies were methodologically heterogeneous, the feasibility of a pooling study to harmonize and re‐analyze available original data was investigated in this study. A relative risk of ≥1.14 for ALS and occupational exposure to ELF‐MF could be detected with a power of more than 80% in a pooled study. The pooling of original data was therefore recommended and could contribute to a better understanding of ELF‐MF in the etiology of ALS.
The article can be found on the Bioelectromagnetics homepage.
The journal Expert Review of Medical Devices has published an article by femu entitled: "Interference of Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Devices by Static Electric and Magnetic Fields”. The aim of this study was to determine thresholds for electromagnetic interference (EMI) of cardiac implants by static electric and magnetic fields. A literature search revealed four interference mechanisms caused by static magnetic fields and none for static electric fields. Due to the scarce information on motion-induced EMI by static magnetic fields, numerical simulations were performed to obtain a threshold. The results showed that motion-induced EMI should not occur below the activation of the magnetic safety switch (MSS) at 0.8 mT. The authors concluded that MSS activation is the most relevant mechanism for static magnetic fields.
The article can be found in the EMF-Portal, in PubMed and on the Expert Review of Medical Devices homepage.
For its term of office 2020-2024 and beyond, the ICNIRP Commission has defined the new Work Plan, which encompasses most frequencies of the non-ionizing frequency spectrum. Tasks ahead include, among others, revisiting the low frequencies and static magnetic fields guidelines and analyzing the environmental issues related to electromagnetic fields.
You can find the Work Plan on the ICNIRP homepage.
After rescheduling the 1st conference from 2020 to 2021, the new date for the second attempt of the 1st European EMF Forum Conference has now been set. The conference will take place from November 15 to 16, 2021 at the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) in Dortmund, Germany, with a pre-conference gathering for early arrivals on Sunday evening (November 14, 2021).
You can find further information on the official homepage.
The official BioEM2021 homepage has announced that this years meeting will take place in Ghent, Belgium from September 26 to October 1, 2021. Further information will be posted on this website soon.
The journal Medical & Biological Engineering & Computing has published an article by femu and co-authors entitled: "Computational models for contact current dosimetry at frequencies below 1 MHz”. The aim of this study was to develop an extendable and adaptable validated numerical body model for computational contact current dosimetry for frequencies of 0 Hz – 1 MHz. Contact currents were conducted through the numerical body model Duke by seven contact electrodes on longitudinal and transversal paths. The resulting induced electric field and current enable the evaluation of the body impedance and the heart current factors for each frequency and current path to assess individual accident scenarios.
The open access article can be found in the EMF-Portal, in PubMed and on the Medical & Biological Engineering & Computing homepage.
The 1st European EMF Forum Conference "7 years of experience with the EMF directive" hosted by the German Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA), which should take place in Dortmund, Germany, from 23 to 24 November 2020, has been postponed to the end of October/beginning of November 2021 due to the current pandemic situation. Exact dates will be announced on the BAuA homepage as soon as available.
Due to the continuous pandemic situation, the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) has decided to cancel the 9th International NIR (non-ionizing radiation) Workshop.
For further information, visit the ICNIRP homepage.
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