Electromagnetic Fields, Environment and Health

A good number of misconceptions are currently circulating on the effects of non-ionizing radiations on our health, which can lead to an oversimplification of the issue, to potentially dangerous assumptions or to misleading data analysis. Health effects may be exaggerated, or on the contrary underplayed. The authors of this work (doctors, engineers and researchers) have endeavored to supply validated and easily understandable scientific information on the electromagnetic fields and their biological and health effects. After a general review of the physics of the waves and a presentation of non-ionizing radiations, the authors review the main emission sources encountered in our daily environment. They summarize simply but as accurately as possible the current knowledge on their biological effects.
The safety limits recommended by international organizations are presented for the different frequency ranges. This book is intended for doctors, teachers, scientists, students, policy makers and anyone else interested in a deeper understanding of the health effects of electromagnetic fields. Intended to serve a broad readership, everyone will approach it according to their respective level of curiosity and knowledge. It is neither an exhaustive inventory of all the studies made to date, nor a survey text focusing only on some chosen studies. Nor is the objective to present all the sources of non-ionizing radiations. Interested readers will be given the opportunity to broaden their knowledge, also by consulting the selected bibliography presented by the authors at the end of each chapter.

From the book reviews:

“This small book is intended for anyone who may have concerns about the health effects of exposure to non-ionising radiation encountered in all aspects of modern life. It seeks to provide an accurate summary of the state of our understanding, together with pointers to further information. … this book’s value lies in bringing together in one place an overview of our current understanding of the health impact of non-ionising radiation in the environment … .” (Glyn Coutts, Scope, Vol. 23 (4), December, 2014)

“This relatively brief … discussion of electromagnetic field exposures, research, and exposure limits covers a wide range of frequencies in the electromagnetic spectrum––static, extremely low frequency, intermediate frequencies, radiofrequency, infrared radiation, visible light, and ultraviolet radiation. … The book will be invaluable to students and lay readers seeking an introduction to these topics. … An extensive glossary is provided to identify and describe technical terms.” (William H. Bailey, Health Physics, Vol. 105 (6), December, 2013)

Anne Perrin is a PhD in molecular and cellular biology and also completed a degree in philosophy (Master's degree “Culture and health”). She has been a Researcher at the Biomedical Research Institute of the Armies (IRBA) in Grenoble (France) since 1994, and is currently President of the Non-Ionizing Radiations Section of the French Radio-Protection Society (SFRP). Martine Souques is a public health doctor and epidemiologist. For more than 20 years, she has been involved in the evaluation of the health and environmental risks linked to 50 Hz electric and magnetic fields at the Medical Studies Department of Electricity of France (EDF). She is the current Vice-President of the Non-Ionizing Radiations Section of the French Radio-Protection society (SFRP).