A comprehensive review of non-ionizing radiation and its public health and environmental risks, for researchers, policy makers, and laymen This book explains the characteristics of all forms of electromagnetic non-ionizing radiation (NIR) and analyzes the relationship between exposure and its biological effects, as well as the known dose-response relationships associated with each. Taking a uniquely holistic approach to the concept of health that builds upon the WHO definition to include not only absence of disease, but the physical, mental and social well-being of individuals and the population, it reviews established and potential risks and protections, along with regulatory issues associated with each. The risks to public health of NIR, whether in the form of UV light, radio waves from wireless devices, or electric and magnetic fields associated with electrical power systems, is currently a cause of great concern among members of the public and lawmakers. But in order to separate established science from speculation and make informed decisions about how to mitigate the risks of NIR and allocate precious resources, policymakers, manufacturers, and individuals need a comprehensive source of up-to-date information based on the current scientific evidence. Written by a team of experts in their fields, this book is that source. Among other things, it: * Summarizes scientific findings on the safety of different forms of NIR and the rationale behind current standards * Describes devices for monitoring NIR along with the established and potential hazards of each form * Explores proper protections against UV light and lasers, RF radiation, ELF fields and other forms of NIR * Discusses how to avoid injuries through occupational training or public awareness programs, and how to perform medical assessments in cases of suspected NIR injuries * Considers how to decide whether or not to spend money on certain mitigation measures, based on cost-benefit analyses Offering expert reviews and analyses of the latest scientific findings and public policy issues concerning the risks to public health and the environment of NIR, Non-ionizing Radiation Protection is an indispensable source of information for manufacturers, government regulators, and regulatory agencies, as well as researchers, concerned laypersons, and students.

Andrew W. Wood, PhD, is Professor of Biophysics, School of Health Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia. Dr. Wood has had many years' involvement in various research projects on Non-ionizing Radiation and serving on committees dealing with Radiation Protection. Ken Karipidis, PhD, is a senior scientist with the Radiation Health Services Branch, Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, Melbourne, Australia. Dr. Karipidis has been a member of various groups and committees providing advice to government and other stakeholders on radiation protection issues.

List of Contributors xxiii Foreword xxvii Acknowledgments xxix Introduction xxxi 1 Overview: The Electromagnetic Spectrum and Nonionizing Radiation 1 Andrew Wood and Colin Roy Part I Hazard Identification and Assessment: What are the Dangers and How are the Sources Dangerous? 11 2 Hazard Identification: Laboratory Investigation 13 Andrew Wood 3 Hazard Identification: Epidemiological Studies and Their Interpretation 26 Mark Elwood Part II Ultraviolet (UV) Light 47 4 UVR and Short-Term Hazards to the Skin and Eyes 49 Colin Roy and Peter Gies 5 Ultraviolet: Long-Term Risks and Benefits 67 Mark Elwood 6 UV Guidelines and Protection Policies 76 Peter Gies and Colin Roy 7 UV Measurements 94 Peter Gies and Colin Roy Part III Visible and Infrared (IR) Light 111 8 Laser and Visible Radiation Hazards to the Eye and Skin 113 Claire Lyngå and David Urban 9 Infrared Radiation and Biological Hazards 134 Stephen Newbery 10 Laser and Optical Radiation Guidelines 145 David Urban and John Javorniczky 11 Laser Measurements 152 David Urban and John Javorniczky Part IV Radiofrequency (RF) and Microwave Radiation 163 12 Thermal Effects of Microwave and Radiofrequency Radiation 165 Kenneth R. Foster 13 RF Guidelines and Standards 186 Andrew Wood 14 Assessing RF Exposure: Fields, Currents, and SAR 205 Steve Iskra, Robert L. McIntosh and Andrew Wood 15 Epidemiological Studies of Low-Intensity Radiofrequency Fields and Diseases in Humans 226 Mark Elwood 16 Possible Low-Level Radiofrequency Effects 239 Andrew Wood Part V Extremely Low-Frequency (ELF) Electric and Magnetic Fields 257 17 Electric and Magnetic Fields and Induced Current Hazard 259 Andrew Wood 18 Extremely Low-Frequency (ELF) Guidelines 281 Andrew Wood 19 Instrumentation and Measurement of ELF Electric and Magnetic Fields 298 Thanh Dovan and Ken Karipidis 20 Epidemiological Studies of Low-Intensity ELF Fields and Diseases in Humans 313 Mark Elwood 21 Possible Low-Level Extremely Low-Frequency (ELF) Electric and Magnetic Field Effects? 322 Andrew Wood Part VI Static Electric and Magnetic Fields 339 22 Static Electric and Magnetic Field Hazards 341 Ken Karipidis 23 Static Electric and Magnetic Field Guidelines 357 Ken Karipidis Part VII Dealing with Hazard Perception 363 24 Perceived Hypersensitivity: Anecdotal Versus Objective Evidence 365 Adam Verrender, Anna Dalecki, Sarah P. Loughran and Rodney J. Croft 25 Prudent Avoidance 384 Kevin Nuttall, Paul Flanagan and Garry Melik 26 Radiofrequency Fields and the Precautionary Principle 405 Kenneth R. Foster 27 How to Handle Precaution 430 Ken Karipidis and Rick Tinker Part VIII NIR Injury Prevention and Medical Assessment 443 28 Medical Aspects of Overexposures to Nonionizing Radiation 445 Bruce Hocking 29 Preventive Surveillance Programs 456 Sue Heward, David Urban and Ray McKenzie Part IX Legal and Community Issues 479 30 Public Consultation and Dissemination of Information. Risk Perception. Public Involvement in Decision-Making Regarding Placement of Broadcast Antennas and Power Transmission Lines 481 Michael Dolan 31 Mitigating Nonionizing Radiation Risks 496 David Urban, Michael Bangay and Thanh Dovan 32 Some of the Controversies Regarding NIR 526 Andrew Wood, Ken Karipidis and Michael Dolan 33 Summary and Prospects 540 Andrew Wood and Ken Karipidis Appendix A Answers to Tutorial Problems 548 Appendix B List of Suppliers of Survey Equipment 558 Appendix C Websites for Further Information 560 Index 563