Electrical power supplies, electrical devices and appliances, and radio communications produce electromagnetic fields (EMF), also called non-ionising radiation (NIS). It has been scientifically established that high intensity (high-dose) exposure to EMF causes the temperature of biological tissues to rise (thermal effect) and can lead to cell damage and health problems. But in everyday life, people are exposed to only lower intensity (low-dose) radiation. At these low levels, a rise in body temperature is not measurable or is very small. There are many gaps in our knowledge as to whether this non-thermal radiation below the exposure limit values set by law also has effects on the human body.
To close some of these knowledge gaps and taking public concerns into consideration, the Federal Council approved the launching of NRP 57, «Non-Ionising Radiation – Health and Environment». The goal of NRP 57 is to investigate, in a four-year programme of research, possible health damaging effects of EMF in order to improve assessment of the associated risks.
The international efforts in EMF research need to be taken into account for risk assessment. National research programmes have been initiated worldwide, especially in European countries. There are programmes in Germany, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Italy, The Netherlands, and Japan, for example. In addition, the research is being supported by various initiatives, such as the Swiss Research Foundation on Mobile Communication (FSM) and the Research Association for Radio Applications «Funk e.V.» in Bonn, Germany. A number of international organisations are working at ongoing assessment and promotion of the current state of research. To these belong the WHO International EMF Project (World Health Organization) and EMF-NET, a project funded by the European Commission 6th Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development, Scientific Support for Policies.
Contact and mutual exchange between NRP 57 and these research programmes will serve to foster international collaboration. The projects of NRP 57 are embedded within these international research efforts and cross-linked by manifold collaborations.
Research conducted in the framework of NRP 57 addresses open questions related to characterisation and measurement of electromagnetic fields and their possible damaging effects on people. Of special interest are effects of EMF exposure on the body, such as on the brain, and possible effects on health and well-being. A further focus of NRP 57 is on cell biological studies investigating the underlying mechanisms of the cellular effects of EMF that significantly complement and extend the international efforts. Rounding off the research programme are research projects investigating risk perception, examining growing public concerns about possible damaging effects of electromagnetic radiation.
Funds of 5 million CHF were granted to this four-year national research programme. Initial results are expected to be available in 2009.
