KI activity 4 - Ethics module: Exposure to electromagnetic fields
General background
Concerns about whether electromagnetic fields could affect human health were raised initially by
epidemiologic studies reported in the late 1970s, and since 1980s, findings on EMF have been
widely publicized in the popular press [1]. A majority of studies have focused on cancer,
particularly leukemia and brain cancer, among other health effects. Though associations have been
observed in some studies, there remains considerable uncertainty about the validity and meaning
of these associations. Here are a few important historical studies and events related to this field as
Kheifets et al. [2] reported:
"In the late 1970s and early 1980s, several published studies further fueled the concern over EMF.
They reported higher rates of cancer mortality in children living near high current configuration
power lines and higher leukemia rates in electrical workers.
In December 1990, the US Environmental Protection Agency released a draft report concluding
that magnetic fields from power lines and household sources are a possible cause of cancer.
Additional evidence for possible health effects from EMF was published in 1991, including
another study reporting an increase in childhood leukemia and one reporting increased risk of male
breast cancer with occupational EMF exposure.
The EMF issue was subject to intense media coverage in 1993. Over 70 news stories appeared in
the US popular media that year, compared with 20 in 1992 and 25 in 1994.
In 1996, the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences released its
evaluation of EMF health effects from residential exposure. Its widely publicized conclusion was
that there is no conclusive evidence that electromagnetic fields play a role in the development of
cancer, reproductive and developmental abnormalities, or learning and behavioral problems, or
that they are a threat to human health".
For a more detailed history about this issue please refer to [2].
In 2015, the European Commission under the auspices of the Scientific Committee on Emerging
and Newly Identified Health Risks, found that the risk of childhood leukemia was increased as a
result of exposure to very low frequency fields as reported in some epidemiologic studies.
However, experimental studies do not explain these findings. It also found that studies on
radiofrequency exposure do not show an increased risk of brain tumors or other cancers, although
the possibility of an association with acoustic neuroma remains open [3]. For more information on
why EMFs are studied in relation to cancer and more recent studies please refer to National Cancer
Institute website [4]. Scenario¹
Recently in Lajas, Puerto Rico, a controversy has arisen over a project by the United States Navy
to build a radar facility at a nearby site. Much of the debate is concerned about the right of the
local community to participate meaningfully in this decision. And a concern has arisen over the
possibility that the facility could generate electromagnetic fields (EMFs) that could cause harmful
health effects, namely, forms of cancer.
As an electrical and computer engineer who lives in the community, you are familiar with some
of the recent research that has been done on EMFs. Among the important facts are the following:
1.
Many common everyday objects (electric shavers, microwave ovens, hair dryers, vacuum
cleaners, electric can openers) produce EMFs. Concern arises from larger projects such as
electric power lines, sub-stations, and radar facilities like the one proposed for Lajas.
2. Epidemiological evidence exists showing slightly higher risks associated with living next
to these field-generating facilities. (Epidemiological evidence results from studies that
compare groups exposed to EMFs to others not exposed. These studies then look for
significantly higher incidents of illness in the exposed groups. But other epidemiological
studies do not show significant risk ratios).
3. Some have argued that there is a causal mechanism to explain the cancers associated with
EMFs. For example, it is argued that EMFs interfere directly with cellular activity.
However, EMFs are pervasive (including the earth's own magnetic field) and it has not
been demonstrated why the EMFs generated by electric power lines or radar facilities are
special. Another series of studies have been carried out to see if EMFs trigger (or activate)
a cancer-causing gene that is directly responsible for the cancer. But scientists have not yet
been able to confirm this hypothesis.
You are personally opposed to the US Navy's project. You feel that it is being imposed on the
community without their informed consent [5]. Please answer each of the following questions in
one or two sentences.
Questions
1. As a professional who is part of the community, what is your responsibility in raising
your voice regarding the health concerns associated with this project?
2. How do you respond to the community's health concerns about EMFs given your views
on the undesirability of the project in general?
3. How should scientists and other experts communicate risk to the public?
4. What are the public's rights as stakeholders in making the decision of whether to build
the radar facility at a nearby site?
5. Now assume you are currently employed by the local company that would manufacture
the radars for the Navy's project. Will your answers to the above questions change
under the new circumstances? Please explain how your answers will change.
1 This scenario is inspired by a case study in [5] References
[1] L. I. Kheifets, G. L. Hester and G. L. Banerjee, "The precautionary principle and EMF:
Implementation and evaluation," Journal of Risk Research, vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 113-125, 2001.
[2] L. I. Kheifets, R. S. Greenberg, R. R. Neutra, G. L. Hester, C. L. Poole, D. P. Rall and G. Lundell,
"Electric and magnetic fields and cancer: study," American Journal of Epidemiology, vol. 154,
no. 12, pp. S50-S59, 2001.
[3] SCENIHR, "Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks: Potential health
effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF)," 20 1 2015. [Online]. Available:
http://ec.europa.eu/health/scientific_committees/emerging/docs/scenihr_o_041.pdf.
[Accessed 10 1
2018].
[4] National Cancer Institute, "Electromagnetic Fields and Cancer," 27 5 2016. [Online]. Available:
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/radiation/electromagnetic-fields-fact-
sheet. [Accessed 5 1 2018].
[5] W. J. Frey, "Risk Communication and Electromagnetic Fields (EMF)," Center for Ethics in the
Professions at the University of Puerto Rico Mayagüez, 2010. [Online]. Available:
http://www.upm.edu/etica/engcases.html. [Accessed 5 11 2017].
