In the early 1990's I had the opportunity to work on a project developing calibrated, sensitive microwave thermocouple sensors to study the intensity of microwave radiation inside 'human head models generated by cellphones'. It is of possible interest that the work was funded by a major cellphone manufacturer, however, the source of the funding did not influence the integrity of the work. I also spent considerable time comprehending (at least, giving it a good try!) the mountain of literature of the epidemiological effects of electromagnetic fields. It is of particular relevance to the 'European committee's action that the following summary statement, from a review article by James Jauchem, published in the International Microwave Power Institute (Vol. 28, No. 3, 1993) is directed:
"In fact, the absence of both a mechanism of interaction and a dose-response relation do not support classification of EMFs as a probable carcinogen"
Also, citing Petersen (Bioeffects of microwaves, J. Occup. Med. (1983) and Foster (Health effects of low-level electromagnetic fields, Health Phys. 62:429-435 (1992) "effects" are not necessarily "hazards". Although moderate-intensity ELFs may be capable of producing biological effects, the distinction between these effects and health effects is important. Also it is important that in epidemiological studies, an association of a factor with a health outcome often does not reflect a causal relationship. Strong independent associations can arise solely as a result of the lack of control over confounding. Some authors even suggest that some over-hyped studies are really "scaremongering made respectable by the use of sophisticated statistical methods."
