As an introduction to our readers, what is your name and position?
My name is Paolo Vecchia, and I am presently the Chairman of ICNIRP
What is the ICNIRP and what is his mission?
ICNIRP stands for International Commission on Non Ionizing radiation protection. The Commission is an independent group of experts from different disciplines (medicine, biology, epidemiology, physics etc.) who is responsible for evaluating the impact of non ionizing radiation, including electromagnetic fields, on human health and to provide advice and assistance to international organizations and national authorities for the development of health policies.
How is it organized? is the ICNIRP working in cooperation with other organizations?
ICNIRP consists of 12 members, plus a Chairperson and a Vice-chairperson. It is also assisted by four Standing Committees specialized on physics/engineering, biology/medicine, epidemiology, and optical radiation respectively. ICNIRP actively with a number of other international organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Labour Office (ILO), and the European Commission.
What are the ICNIRP main contributions? (studies, guidelines...))
The most relevant deliverables are exposure guidelines, that contain recommendations for safe exposure of workers and the general public, including exposure limits. The ICNIRP guidelines have been endorsed as national regulations in more than 30 countries all over the world, and are the basis of a recommendation and a proposed directive of the European Union for the protection of the general public and workers, respectively. ICNIRP also publishes extensive reviews of the science (so-called Blue Books) on commitment by WHO, that uses them as an input for risk assessment. Finally, ICNIRP organizes workshops (quite often in collaboration with WHO), and actively participates in scientific events.
What would you say to people that believe that ICNIRP EMF safety limits are too high?
The exposure limits recommended by ICNIRP are based on effects that have been “established” by research, according to scientific criteria that are widely accepted. The limits include relevant reduction factors with respect to the thresholds that have bee identified for these effects. Therefore, the ICNIRP limits guarantee, within large margins, th prevention of any adverse effect scientifically identified..
Should people be worried when they are exposed to levels below ICNIRP reference levels?
It is the opinion of all the international protection authorities that there is no convincing evidence of any health effect below the ICNIRP limits. Some epidemiological studies have indicated a statistical correlation between exposure to extremely low frequency fields (e.g. from high-voltage power lines) and the incidence of childhood leukaemia, but the hypothesis of a causal role of magnetic fields is not supported by laboratory studies. In contrast, there is no overall evidence, from a comprehensive analysis of a very large body of literature, of any immediate or long-term effect of radiofrequency fields, such as those used for mobile telephony or other telecommunication technologies.
What do you think about the measurement / monitoring of the Electromagnetic Fields, is it useful?
Measurements and monitoring are definitely useful, on the one side to test the validity of calculations, and on the other side to provide the public with a tangible proof of exposure levels. A representative sample of measurements can usually provide a good representation of environmental levels of exposure. However, extensive campaigns, to include e.g. all radio base stations for mobile telephony in a given region, may be useless, since all antennas are similar, and therefore result in a waste of resources.
Do you believe that the general public should have access to the EMF measured / monitored data? How would it help to reduce their concerns?
Yes. There are examples in several countries, that proved to be effective. Besides providing citizens with objective data, that they can personally compare with exposure limits, such solution represents a sign of attention towards the public, and increases trust in the authorities, and possibly in the operators too.
What are the ICNIRP current activities?
ICNIRP is in the process of revising all its guidelines. The process has been completed for static and low-frequency fields, while is still in progress for radiofrequency fields. This is mainly due to the fact that a very large epidemiological study on mobile telephones and tumours in the head (including brain tumours) is being completed right now. However, the validity of present limits has been confirmed in 2009. In addition, ICNIRP monitors the advancement of research, and of technology in relation to the development of new sources with consequent new modalities of exposure.
Thank you very much, we wish you the best in your position at the ICNIRP.
