Health Risk Assessment
Procedures
The general procedures that result in the publication of this EHC monograph are discussed below.
A first draft, prepared by consultants or staff from a RAD Collaborating Centre, is initially based on data provided from reference databases, such as Medline and PubMed. The draft document, when received by RAD, may require an initial review by a small panel of experts to determine its scientific quality and objectivity. Once the document is acceptable as a first draft, it is distributed, in its unedited form, to well over 150 EHC contact points throughout the world who are asked to comment on its completeness and accuracy and, where necessary, provide additional material. The contact points, usually designated by governments, may be Collaborating Centres, or individual scientists known for their particular expertise. Generally, some months are allowed before the comments are considered by the author(s). A second draft incorporating comments received and approved by the Coordinator (RAD) is then distributed to Task Group members, who carry out the peer review at least six weeks before their meeting.
The Task Group members serve as individual scientists, not as representatives of their organization. Their function is to evaluate the accuracy, significance and relevance of the information in the document and to assess the health and environmental risks from exposure to the part of the electromagnetic spectrum being addressed. A summary and recommendations for further research and improved safety aspects are also required. The composition of the Task Group is dictated by the range of expertise required for the subject of the meeting (epidemiology, biological and physical sciences, medicine and public health) and by the need for a balance in gender, geographical distribution and the range of opinions on the science.
The membership of the WHO Task Groups is approved by the Assistant Director General of the Cluster on Sustainable Development and Healthy Environments. These Task Groups are the highest level committees within WHO for conducting health risk assessments. They are similar to the Working Groups established by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) that conduct ‘carcinogen identification and classification’ of various physical, chemical and biological agents.
Task Groups conduct a critical and thorough review of the scientific literature and assess any risks to health from exposure to both static electric and magnetic fields, reach agreements by consensus, and make final conclusions and recommendations that cannot be altered after the Task Group meeting.
The World Health Organization recognizes the important role played by non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Representatives from relevant national and international agencies may be invited to join the Task Group as observers. While observers may provide a valuable contribution to the process, they can only speak at the invitation of the Chairperson. Observers do not participate in the final evaluation, since this is the sole responsibility of the Task Group members. When the Task Group considers it to be appropriate, it may meet in camera.
All individuals who participate as authors, consultants or advisers in the preparation of the EHC monograph must, in addition to serving in their personal capacity as scientists, inform WHO if at any time a conflict of interest, whether actual or potential, could be perceived in their work. They are required to sign a conflict of interest statement. Such a procedure ensures the transparency and probity of the process.
When the Task Group has completed its review and the Coordinator (RAD) is satisfied as to the scientific consistency and completeness of the document, it is then subjected to language editing, reference checking, and a camera-ready copy is then prepared. After approval by the Director, the monograph is submitted to the WHO Office of Publications for printing. A copy of the final draft is then sent to the Chairperson and Rapporteur of the Task Group to check the proofs.