World Health Organization & US Air Force Asia Pacific EMF Conference
Bangkok, Thailand
Statement of Conference
Over 140 scientists and government officials from 24 countries met at the Asia-Pacific EMF Conference on Electromagnetic Fields, Research, Health Effects, and Standards Harmonization in Bangkok, Thailand, 27-30 January 2004.
The Conference was organized and sponsored by the following scientific and government organizations: World Health Organization (WHO), the Thai Ministry of Public Health, United States (US) Air Force Research Laboratory, Health Canada, US Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), AFOSR Asian Office of Aerospace Research and Development, AFOSR European Office of Aerospace Research and Development, Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, TOT Corporation Public Company Limited, the Association of Thai Professionals in America and Canada, US Army Research Office-Far East, and the US Office of Naval Research-International Field Office.
Electromagnetic fields (EMF) are emitted from devices such as mobile telephones and their base stations, high voltage transmission lines, radars, or any equipment involved in the generation, distribution, or use of electricity.
Preceding the Asia-Pacific EMF Conference, international experts provided a tutorial on EMF exposure issues, including biological effects, energy absorption (dosimetry), standards, and electromagnetic interference. This tutorial was held at the Thai Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, with approximately 200 attendees.
At the conference, lectures and discussions were held on international and national standards and the WHO framework for standards development and harmonization. The latest research and planned experiments on biological effects of EMF exposures, dosimetry in adults and children, electromagnetic compatibility as applied to medical devices, power line exposure assessments, and gaps in knowledge needing further research were presented. An assessment of the scientific evidence to date suggests that no adverse health consequences have been established at exposure levels below current international guidelines.
The Conference recommends that national authorities in the Asia-Pacific region:
- Protect their citizens and workers by adopting international guidelines or use the WHO framework for developing EMF standards for limiting exposure from EMF sources and encouraging compliance with these standards.
- Encourage communication between EMF-emitting device manufactures and the medical community regarding potential electromagnetic interference with medical devices.
- Provide information to their population about the use of EMF, that research is ongoing to determine if there are any health effects from EMF exposure, but that no adverse health effects have been confirmed below international guideline levels. Further information can be obtained from the WHO web site at
http://www.who.int/emf
Venue details:
The Regent, Bangkok
155 Rajadamri Road
Bangkok, Thailand 10330