Electromagnetic fields: the jury's still out. 2. Societal reverberations

The debate over setting standards for exposure to power-frequency electromagnetic fields when science has not yet determined what levels, if any, are dangerous is examined. Regulatory agencies, standards bodies and utilities are struggling to make policy in the face of two opposing views: one camp believes the evidence of health effects is enough to warrant precautionary action to limit exposure, while the other insists that research must present proof of a harmful effect before practical limits (i.e. limits that can be achieved at a reasonable cost to society) can be determined. Burgeoning litigation over high-voltage transmission lines is making the task of providing power increasingly difficult for the utilities. Almost all utilities provide field measurements to customers upon request, and many have programs for characterizing magnetic fields in various environments. The IEEE's standards activity, which is the focus of voluntary efforts to establish EM (electromagnetic) fields standards in the United States is discussed, as well as national electric and magnetic field exposure standards for ELF (extremely low frequency) fields that have already been adopted by some countries. Some solutions for transmission lines, and the technological and economic factors entailed, are explored. The debate over the risk of electrical appliances is examined.<
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