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.
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