The expert view

What the experts say

Reviews of the science
The scientific evidence on EMFs is presented in the science. Here we summarise what different national and international review bodies have concluded about that evidence.

See here for the UK Stakeholder Advisory Group on EMFs (SAGE) report on possible precautionary measures.

UK Government
In the UK, the ultimate authority on matters concerning public health is, of course, the Government and it has regularly expressed its policies on EMFs over recent years:

Parliamentary Q&As – a summary of over 40 Parliamentary Questions asked and answers given since March 2001.
Ministerial Statements - how the Government has responded when concerns about EMFs have been raised in connection with proposed new lines.

“…health effects do not provide sufficient grounds for refusing consent…”
Margaret Beckett, 2001

Other UK organisations whose views are often sought include:

Health Protection Agency - independent advisers to the UK Government. The HPA and their Advisory Group AGNIR have made several statements about EMFs recently, including new advice on limiting exposures in 2004. Read a summary of their key conclusions compiled by the electricity industry.

Health and Safety Executive - responsible for promoting health and safety at work

“…HSE does not consider it appropriate to recommend further restrictions…”
HSE statement on EMFs

Institution of Engineering and Technology

“At low frequencies, the cumulative evidence from the large body of literature built up from intensive research over the past 25 years suggests that the existence of harmful health effects remains unlikely.”
IEE Position Statement 2006

Outside the UK, numerous bodies have made pronouncements on EMFs. To see some of the more important:

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) reviewed EMFs and cancer in June 2001, and classified magnetic fields as “possibly” carcinogenic.

The World Health Organization runs an International EMF Project.

Europe – several different European bodies have been active on EMFs. Download an industry summary of their key conclusions.

Or take a look at a listing and summary of over 100 reviews of EMF dating back to 1977 (though many of these are now out-of-date)

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