Regarding a Column by Dr. J. C. Lin [Letter to the Editor]

We would like to respond to a column by Dr. J. C. Lin, published in the IEEE Antennas and Propagation Magazine, and - in virtually identical form - in the Radio Science Bulletin [1, 2]. In these columns, Dr. Lin discusses the composition of the IARe Monographs Working Group that convened in May of this year to assess the carcinogenic hazards from exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields. After Dr. Anders Ahlbom's withdrawal from the Working Group, Dr. Lin concludes that also Dr. Ronald Melnick should have been excluded from participating, on the basis of an alleged conflict of interests. In view of this, Dr. Lin questions the IARC's consistency and degree of seriousness in dealing with the declaration of interests, and its ambiguous manner in addressing conflicts of interest. We would like to respond to these allegations as follows: The IARe Monographs identify environmental factors that can increase the risk for human cancer. Interdisciplinary working groups of expert scientists review the published studies and evaluate the weight of the evidence that an agent could alter the age-specific incidence of cancer in humans. The principles, procedures, and scientific criteria that guide the evaluations are described in the “Preamble to the IARe Monographs” (see http://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Preamble/index.php). All experts must complete the “WHO Declaration of Interests” form before an invitation can be extended. Answering “yes” to a question on this form does not automatically disqualify or limit participation in an IARe Monographs meeting. After Dr. Ahlbom had submitted his initial “Declaration of Interests,” he was invited as a working-group member. In the week before the meeting, Dr. Ahlbom submitted a more-comprehensive “Declaration of Interests,” adding that he served on the Board of Directors of his brother's consulting finn, Gunnar Ahlbom AB, a consulting finn in the domains of European Union (EU) affairs, especially working with commercial entities in telecommunications. One of the declared projects included major telecommunication companies as partners. Based on a perceived conflict of interest in his updated “Declaration of Interest” form, the IARC invited Dr. Ahlbom to remain in the working group, but as an invited specialist. This decision was discussed with Dr. Ahlbom in several long phone calls. Nevertheless, he decided to withdraw himself from the working group. We understand that he has since resigned from the Board of Directors of the consulting finn, i.e., the activity that had led us to make our decision over a perceived conflict of interest.