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Electric and Magnetic Fields (EMF): National Insti
EMF RAPID PROGRAM
Research and Public Information
Dissemination About Electric and Magnetic Field
PURPOSE
The EMF Electric and Magnetic Fields (EMF) research and Public
Information Dissemination (RAPID) Program, establish by Section
2118 of the National Energy Policy Act of 1992, focuses on
finding answers to these key questions: Does exposure to EMF
produced by the generation, transmission, and use of electric
energy pose a risk to human health? If it does, how significant
is the risk, who is at risk, and how can the risk be reduced?
Research conducted under the EMF RAPID Program covers a broad
range of scientific disciplines and complements EMF research
already underway in the U.S. and abroad. The RAPID Program
coordinates and focuses the Federal EMF research effort and
provides a central point from which to evaluate research results
and interpret them for the public.
ORGANIZATION
The Department of Energy (DOE) administers the overall program
and directs research on exposure assessment and field
management techniques. The National Institute of Environmental
Health Sciences (NIEHS) directs the risk assessment and health
effects research. The public information component of the
program is the responsibility of both DOE and NIEHS.
An Interagency Committee representing nine Federal agencies is
responsible for developing the program agenda; establishing
guidelines for interagency coordination; and monitoring,
evaluating, and reporting program results. The Interagency
Committee includes:
* Department of Energy
* National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
* Environmental Protection Agency
* Department of Defense
* Occupational Safety and Health Administration
* National Institute of Standards and Technology
* Department of Transportation
* Rural Electrification Administration
* Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
The program receives guidance from the National EMF Advisory
Committee, whose members come from diverse constituencies
including public advocacy groups, organized labor, state
governments, academia, and industry. The National Academy of
Sciences evaluates the research conducted under the EMF Rapid
Program.
HEALTH EFFECTS RESEARCH
Health effects research conducted under the EMF RAPID Program
focuses on effects suggested by previous studies, such as
childhood leukemia, brain cancer, breast cancer, neurobehavioral
effects, and certain adverse reproductive effects. Research will
cover a wide range of disciplines, including epidemiology,
toxicology, and basic biology and physiology. DOE and NIEHS are
working together to ensure common, controlled exposures in EMF
studies. Quality control procedures will be instituted for all
health effects experiments.
EXPOSURE ASSESSMENT AND FIELD MANAGEMENT RESEARCH
Exposure assessment research is required for EMF risk assessment.
Researchers will study various environments to try to determine
what kinds of electric and magnetic field exposures are typical
in those settings. Source characterization-the study off
specific EMF sources and how people use them-will also provide
information for assessing potential EMF exposures.
Field management research and development will be supported at
this stage. if it is determineed that EMF exposure poses a risk
to human health, the results of this research will provide
decision makers with options for reducing risk.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION CLEARINGHOUSE
To facilitate the collection and dissemination of technical
information on EMF, NIEHS and DOE are establishing an EMF
Biomedical Science and Engineering Information Clearinghouse and
its databases will include all available information about
Federally and privately funded EMF research.
RISK ASSESSMENT
Hazard identification, risk assessment, and risk evaluation
models will be developed under the direction of the NIEHS, to
provide a framework for using the scientific and engineering
results in deciding whether there is any risk to human health
from exposure to EMF. During the development of these models,
the public will be kept informed and asked for comments.
PUBLIC INFORMATION
The EMF RAPID Program will provide a source of up-to-date
information for the general public about various aspects of the
EMF issue: possible human health effects, the types and extent of
human exposure, technologies for measuring and characterizing
fields, methods for assessing and managing exposure.
Public information materials will include brochures for various
audiences, including some Spanish language materials, resource
guides and information summaries for policy makers, measurement
manuals, news media briefing materials, and an EMF public
information hotline. Both the EMF Interagency Committee will
review public information materials developed under this program.
The EMF RAPID Program is not intended to replace or duplicate
existing public information networks, but will take full
advantage of these resources.
FUNDING
The law requires that at least 50% of the total costs of the EMF
RAPID Program be offset by contributions from non-Federal
sources. The program has a total authorization of $65 million
over a five year period. Non-Federal contributions are solicited
based on the annual Federal appropriation.
Early non-Federal contributors to the EMF RAPID Program include
member companies of the Edison Electric Institute, the National
Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the American Public Power
Association, the Electric Power Research Institute, and the
National Electrical Manufacturers Association.
Anyone who uses electricity has a stake in the EMF issue. Its
potential impact encompasses many sectors of American society,
including not only the companies that generate and distribute
electric power, but companies and individuals that use electric
power, a category which excludes almost no one. For the EMF
RAPID Program to function best, it needs a broad range of
support. Contributions from any and all parties with an interest
in the EMF issue are encouraged and welcomed. However, no
contribution can be contingent on acceptance of restrictions or
obligations regarding the expenditure of donated funds within the
program.
To contribute to the EMF RAPID Program, make out a check payable
to the "U.S. Department of Energy" with this annotation: "For
EPAct 2118, EMF Program," and send it to: U.S. Department of
Energy; Office of Headquarters Accounting Operations; Fiscal
Operations Division, CR-54; P.O.Box 500; Germantown, MD
20875-0500.
Questions? Call Robert Brewer, U.S. Department of Energy,
202/586-2828
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