CATANIA RESOLUTION
September 2002
The Scientists at the International Conference “State of the Research on Electromagnetic Fields Scientific and Legal Issues”,
organized by ISPESL*, the University of Vienna and the City of Catania, held in Catania (Italy) on September 13th 14th, 2002, agree to the following:
1. Epidemiological and in vivo and in vitro experimental evidence demonstrates the existence for electromagnetic field (EMF) induced effects, some of which can be adverse to health.
2. We take exception to arguments suggesting that weak (low intensity) EMF cannot interact with tissue.
3. There are plausible mechanistic explanations for EMF-induced effects which occur below present ICNIRP and IEEE guidelines and exposure recommendations by the EU.
4. The weight of evidence calls for preventive strategies based on the precautionary principle. At times the precautionary principle may involve prudent avoidance and prudent use.
5. We are aware that there are gaps in knowledge on biological and physical effects, and health risks related to EMF, which require additional independent research.
6. The undersigned scientists agree to establish an international scientific commission to promote research for the protection of public health from EMF and to develop the scientific basis and strategies for assessment, prevention, management and communication of risk, based on the precautionary principle.
Fiorella Belpoggi, Fondazione Ramazzini, Italy
Carl F. Blackman, President of the Bioelectromagnetic Society (1990-1991), Raleigh, USA
Martin Blank, Department of Physiology, Columbia University, New York, USA
Emilio Del Giudice, INFN Milano, Italy
Livio Giuliani, University Camerino, Italy
Settimio Grimaldi, CNR-INMM, Roma, Italy
Lennart Hardell, Department of Oncology, University Hospital, Oerebro, Sweden
Michael Kundi, Institute of Environmental Health, University of Vienna, Austria
Henry Lai, Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, USA
Abraham R. Liboff, Department of Physics, Oakland University, USA
Wolfgang Löscher, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, School of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany
Kjell Hansson Mild, National Institute of Working Life, Umea, Sweden
Wilhelm Mosgoeller, Institute for Cancer Research, University of Vienna, Austria
Elihu D. Richter, Unit of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Hebrew-University-Hadassah, Jerusalem, Israel
Umberto Scapagnini, Neuropharmacology, University of Catania, Italy, Member of the European Parliament
Stanislaw Szmigielski, Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Warsaw, Poland
*Istituto Superiore per la Prevenzione e la Sicurezza del Lavoro, Italy (National Institute for Prevention and Work Safety, Italy)
September 2002
The Scientists at the International Conference “State of the Research on Electromagnetic Fields Scientific and Legal Issues”,
organized by ISPESL*, the University of Vienna and the City of Catania, held in Catania (Italy) on September 13th 14th, 2002, agree to the following:
1. Epidemiological and in vivo and in vitro experimental evidence demonstrates the existence for electromagnetic field (EMF) induced effects, some of which can be adverse to health.
2. We take exception to arguments suggesting that weak (low intensity) EMF cannot interact with tissue.
3. There are plausible mechanistic explanations for EMF-induced effects which occur below present ICNIRP and IEEE guidelines and exposure recommendations by the EU.
4. The weight of evidence calls for preventive strategies based on the precautionary principle. At times the precautionary principle may involve prudent avoidance and prudent use.
5. We are aware that there are gaps in knowledge on biological and physical effects, and health risks related to EMF, which require additional independent research.
6. The undersigned scientists agree to establish an international scientific commission to promote research for the protection of public health from EMF and to develop the scientific basis and strategies for assessment, prevention, management and communication of risk, based on the precautionary principle.
Fiorella Belpoggi, Fondazione Ramazzini, Italy
Carl F. Blackman, President of the Bioelectromagnetic Society (1990-1991), Raleigh, USA
Martin Blank, Department of Physiology, Columbia University, New York, USA
Emilio Del Giudice, INFN Milano, Italy
Livio Giuliani, University Camerino, Italy
Settimio Grimaldi, CNR-INMM, Roma, Italy
Lennart Hardell, Department of Oncology, University Hospital, Oerebro, Sweden
Michael Kundi, Institute of Environmental Health, University of Vienna, Austria
Henry Lai, Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, USA
Abraham R. Liboff, Department of Physics, Oakland University, USA
Wolfgang Löscher, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, School of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany
Kjell Hansson Mild, National Institute of Working Life, Umea, Sweden
Wilhelm Mosgoeller, Institute for Cancer Research, University of Vienna, Austria
Elihu D. Richter, Unit of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Hebrew-University-Hadassah, Jerusalem, Israel
Umberto Scapagnini, Neuropharmacology, University of Catania, Italy, Member of the European Parliament
Stanislaw Szmigielski, Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Warsaw, Poland
*Istituto Superiore per la Prevenzione e la Sicurezza del Lavoro, Italy (National Institute for Prevention and Work Safety, Italy)