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 Printable version |
The precautionary principle and EMF: Implementation and evaluation |
Environnement, Risques & Santé. Volume 5, Number 1, 43-53, Janvier-Février 2006, Article original
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 Résumé
Article gratuit
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Author(s) : Leeka I Kheifets, Tahera Emilie van Deventer, Gail Lundell, John Swanson |
Summary : The precautionary principle, a recommendation to consider action to avoid a possible harm even if it is not certain to occur, is variously defined and interpreted. We present a range of definitions with an emphasis on their requirements for strength of evidence of harm and for actions to be taken. We describe the variety of approaches that have been adopted in developing policy to address the issue of possible health effects of electric and magnetic fields (EMF) in the face of scientific uncertainty. Further, we discuss specific aspects of scientific uncertainty regarding EMF health risks that are particularly relevant to the development of precautionary policies, and introduce a precautionary framework developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to address both EMF and other exposures, technologies, or agents that could affect public health. We conclude with examples from EMF policy decisions of risk tradeoffs that need to be considered in developing any precautionary policy, and provide recommendations for better ways to define and implement precautionary measures |
Keywords : electromagnetic fields, policy making, environmental, health, risk management |
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