The Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) is intensifying its research on radiation protection in power grid expansion in view of the energy transition in Germany and the still existing scientific uncertainties regarding the possible risks of static and low-frequency fields. There are 33 studies planned in the fields of epidemiology and biology, exposure and dosimetry and risk communication. At the kick-off event on 11 July 2017 in Berlin, the BfS will provide information on its research initiative and the discussion shall improve the orientation of the research program and focus on key issues. Further information can be found on the BfS homepage (in German).
The 2017 joint meeting of the Bioelectromagnetics Society (BEMS) and the European BioElectromagnetics Association (EBEA) BioEM2017 will start next week on Monday, June 5, in the West Lake Villa in Hangzhou, China. The online registration will close on Thursday. However, on-site registration is possible as well. The conference program is available on the BioEM2017 homepage. Several plenary lectures, e.g., on epigenetics and EMF or health effects of the future 5G technology as well as multiple workshops, e.g., on novel radio frequency exposure measurement devices can be attended.
The Swiss Research Foundation for Electricity and Mobile Communication (FSM; Zurich, Switzerland) invites interested persons to the 26th Science Brunch with the title “acceptance of power lines and energy transition” on June 29, 2017. The event series "Science Brunch" was developed to provide the interested public with a platform for the discussion of current issues related to electricity and mobile communications and it takes place twice a year. Visit the FSM homepage for further information and registration (information in German only).
The Journal Environmental Health has published a systematic review performed by femu with the title: “Biological effects of exposure to static electric fields in humans and vertebrates: a systematic review“. The study was carried out in view of the increasing importance of high-voltage direct-current transmission lines and missing limits for static electric fields in the environment. Based on 48 identified studies, the authors found no consistent indications for adverse effects of static electric fields, but good evidence that humans and animals are able to perceive them. The conditions that affect thresholds for detection should be further investigated. The study was funded within the framework of BMBF Forschungscampus Flexible Electric Networks (FEN) (in German).
The article can be found in the EMF-Portal and is available for free download on the Environmental Health homepage.
Together with the Clinic for Cardiology, Pneumology, Angiology and Internal Intensive Medicine (Medical Clinic I) of the Uniklinik Aachen, femu has published in the Journal Circulation of the American Heart Association the following article, "In Vivo Study of Electromagnetic Interference With Pacemakers Caused by Everyday Electric and Magnetic Fields". In this study, the interference of cardiac pacemakers in humans was investigated in 50 Hz fields with electrical field strengths between 0.5 kV/m to 30 kV/m and magnetic flux densities between 10 μT and 2550 μT. With this unique approach under worst-case conditions, the threshold of the first functional interference of the implant was identified and therefore, for the first time, the interference thresholds from a large group of cardiac pacemakers are available. These can now be related to international and national regulations for the protection against harmful effects of EMF, in which people with implants have generally not been considered up to now.
The article can be found in the EMF-Portal as well as on the Circulation homepage.
The deadline for abstract submissions for the BioEM 2017 in Hangzhou, China, has been extended to February 28, 2017. Moreover, the planned plenary talks, workshops and tutorials have now been published. You can find the original announcement on the BioEM 2017 website.
The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) has released its Statement on Diagnostic Devices Using Non-Ionizing Radiation: Existing Regulations and Potential Health Risks. The statement reviews the range of diagnostic non-ionizing radiation (NIR) devices currently used in clinical settings, documents the relevant regulations and policies covering patients and health care workers and analyzes exposure scenarios and potential health dangers. Follow the link to the ICNIRP homepage for a free download.
A short reminder: The deadline for submission of abstracts for the BioEM 2017 in Hangzhou, China, is February 15, 2017. The registration for the conference is also open. Visit the BioEM 2017 website for further information and registration.
After intensive discussion, the Swiss Council of States has spoken out against an increase of the limit values for mobile phone base stations. The National Council wanted the Council of States to revise the Ordinance on the Protection from Non-Ionizing Radiation because the current conditions were too restrictive from its point of view. However, the Council of States rejected the revision by 20 votes to 19 with 3 abstentions, thus maintaining the current limits. Read the original announcement on the homepage of the Swiss Parliament (in German).
The 2017 joint meeting of the Bioelectromagnetics Society (BEMS) and the European BioElectromagnetics Association (EBEA) will be held from June 5 to 9 2017 in the West Lake Villa in Hangzhou, China. The official BioEM2017 website has now been released and provides information and dates on the meeting.
This website uses cookies to provide you the best browsing experience. By continuing to use this website you accept our use of cookies.
