The Danger of Ignoring Non-Ionizing Radiation

This year the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is abandoning its 16-year-old non-ionizing radiation (NIR) program. Yet an increasing number of studies have pointed to the possibility that NIR can promote cancer. More evidence is needed. And appropriate national exposure standards must be set...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Technology review (1998) 1989-01, Vol.92 (1), p.22
Main Author: Slesin, Louis
Format: Magazinearticle
Language:English
Subjects:
Cancer
Computer terminals
Electric power lines
Environmental protection
Government agencies
Human exposure
Medical equipment
Public health
Radiation
Radiation protection
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Summary:This year the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is abandoning its 16-year-old non-ionizing radiation (NIR) program. Yet an increasing number of studies have pointed to the possibility that NIR can promote cancer. More evidence is needed. And appropriate national exposure standards must be set for all types of NIR, through unified federal action. Richard Guimond, head of EPA's radiation office, explained the decision to do away with the agency's NIR program by saying there is insufficient evidence of a health problem from non-ionizing radiation. In 1987, David Carpenter, who headed a $5 million research project funded by New York state utilities and run by the state Department of Health, came up with a striking body count. He estimated that 30% of all childhood cancers may be due to exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields such as those produced by power lines.
ISSN:1099-274X
2158-9186