Electromagnetic hazards, safety and human interaction

Concerns over the possible harmful effects of nonionising irradiation upon human health have been present for many years. Attention was directed to childhood cancer in 1979 and since then most of the major concerns have focused in this area, although other diseases have been noted from time to time. The accumulated literature is large and it is not possible to review it systematically in a brief presentation. The salient points discussed focus on why the power frequency health effects all tend to be epidemiologically driven, whilst the higher energy and other exposures are not, but are, to an extent, driven by public and industry concerns. The salient literature is reviewed in each of the five areas and summary conclusions considered and future work discussed