XN000022-1995-07-17 — Page 13

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No new scientific evidence of EMF affecting health

The Working Group on Electric and Magnetic Fields today (Monday) reiterated that there was no conclusive scientific evidence of adverse health effects on normal individuals arising from exposure to power frequency Electric and Magnetic Fields (EMF).

"Following the Working Group's meeting with the three overseas experts on EMF on July 4, it was found that there is no new convincing scientific evidence that exposure to EMF would affect human health," said the Working Group chairman, Mr John Chan Hing-nin, who is also the Assistant Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services (Electronics and Electricity Legislation).

Mr Chan made the remarks during a meeting between the Working Group and representatives of Yick Yuen Villagers today to exchange information on EMF for a better understanding of each other's view points on the issue.

He stressed that the Working Group still considered that the adoption of the International Radiation Protection Association (IRPA) guidelines, so far the best available internationally accepted guidelines, was appropriate for Hong Kong.

Mr Chan explained that researches and studies on the health implications of EMF had been conducted in various countries since the 70's.

"After 20 years of research, the results of numerous studies conducted so far, mainly epidemiological studies, are still providing conflicting views and findings, and the scientific community in general is still unable to reach any consensus on the possible health risk of EMF," he said.

Because of the inconclusive epidemiological results, Mr Chan continued, various countries had brought in research scientists to investigate EMF in the laboratories.

One of the biggest research programmes is the five-year (1992-97), US$65 million EMF RAPID programme in the United States of America. All laboratory results available to date found no adverse health effects from EMF exposures.

"As an independent body to provide advice on EMF, the Working Group has to look into this issue from a balanced viewpoint taking into account the views held by mainstream scientific community.