Forthcoming Institute Conferences

Electromagnetic Phenomena and Health - a Continuing Controversy?

Introduction

There are a wide variety of often highly controversial scientific opinions on whether low-level static and time-varying electromagnetic fields (as encountered in many everyday environments), may create beneficial and/or detrimental health effects in humans. Some high-profile scientists and policy-makers stress a general need for more rigorous guidelines based on their own and others' research, whilst other highly-respected authorities dismiss the general need for such options, after examining stringently existing peer-reviewed scientific research and noting a lack of consistent findings between many studies.

This one-day conference examines both sides of this debate, whilst also highlighting particular 'best-practice' 'precautionary principle' measures, and the possible need for further research and/or precaution with regard to some proposed/existing "enhanced electromagnetic hygiene" measures (some of which it will be suggested may actually prove detrimental to long-term health).

Programme

Speaker profiles

Dr. Michael Repacholi
Department of Electronic Engineering, University of Rome "La Sapienza".

Previously Radiation Specialist in Occupational and Environmental Health and the Protection of the Human Environment for WHO, coordinator of WHO EMF Project (1996-2006), Inaugural Chairman of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), Member of the International Radiation Protection Association's (IRPA) International Non-Ionizing Radiation Committee since 1978 and Chairman of that Committee from 1988—1992.

Professor Paolo Vecchia
Head of the Non Ionizing Radiation Section of the Physics Laboratory of ISS, President of the European Bioelectromagnetics Association (EBEA), ICNIRP member since May 2000, and Past President of the Italian Radiation Protection Association (AIRP).

He is responsible for advice to health and environmental authorities on any health problem related to NIR. In the field of basic research, he has been involved mainly in studies on possible effects of electromagnetic fields on the immune system as well as in theoretical dosimetry. He is also collaborating on epidemiological studies relative to both low- and high-frequency fields. 

Professor Yury Grigoriev
Chairman of the Russian National Committee on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection, Director of the Centre for Bioelectromagnetic Compatibility,Chief Researcher at the Laboratory of Radiobiology and Hygiene for Non-lonizing Radiation, Deputy Director and Chief Scientific Researcher for the Russian Institute of Biophysics, Deputy Director of the Institute of Medico-Biologico Problems, a member of the National Commission on Ionising Radiation Protection.

Professor Grigoriev is additionally a member of the International Advisory Committee of the WHO on their International Program EMF and Health.

Professor David O. Carpenter
Institute for Health and the Environment, the University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY. Co-editor of the 2007 "Bioinitiative Report" and the two 1994 volumes entitled "Biological Effects of Electric and Magnetic Fields",  He was the Executive Secretary of the New York State Powerlines Project in the 1980s. 

His previous positions include serving as Chairman of the Neurobiology Department at the US Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Director of the Wadsworth Laboratories of the New York State Department of Health and Dean of the School of Public Health of the University at Albany.  Dr. Carpenter is a public health physician and has over 300 publications on issues relating to human health effects resulting from various environmental exposures.  He serves on numerous national and international committees and editorial boards. 

Professor Olle Johansson
Professor at The Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden; Assoc. Professor, and Head of the Experimental Dermatology Unit at the Karolinska Institute's Department of Neuroscience. 

Research interest: EMF radiation and health effects. He has published over 500 original articles, reviews, book chapters, and conference reports within the field of basic and applied neuroscience.

Professor Henry Lai
Professor Henry Lai, from the University of Washington.

Area of research: biological effects of nonionizing radiation from extremely-low-frequency to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields and the use of electromagnetic fields for the treatment of various diseases, such as malaria and cancer.

Keith Scott Jamieson
Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London.

Presentation of research undertaken at Imperial, and with Dr. Paul Holdstock, of Holdstock Technical Services, Manchester, U.K., examining examples of possible benefits, and pitfalls to avoid, when seeking to employ the 'precautionary principle' and 'ALARA' regimes to create 'healthier' electromagnetic environments indoors in home, office and healthcare facilities, and why there is often a need to proceed with caution when seeking to design such environments.  

Dr. John Swanson
Scientific advisor to the UK National Grid, and advisor on electric and magnetic fields for the Electricity Association and stakeholder of SAGE (Stakeholder Advisory Group ELF EMF).

Professor Emeritus Michael J. O'Carroll
University of Sunderland, and SAGE stakeholder.

Chairperson for morning session: Professor Derek Clements-Croome
Director of Intelligent Buildings Research Group at the University of Reading; Chairman of: Natural Ventilation Group and Intelligent Buildings Group for CIBSE.  Vice-President of CIBSE from May 2007 and Board Member for British Council of Offices. Visiting Professor at several universities: Honorary President of Intelligent Buildings Congress at Cracow University, 2001 and 2002, 2004, 2006. UK Ambassador and Chairman at Clima 2000, 7th World Congress, Naples in September 2001.

Research interests include intelligent buildings; design of workplaces; and environmental design for human needs; and environmental issues for the construction industry. He has published over 200 papers and is author of several books including 'Creating the Productive Workplace'; 'Electromagnetic Environments and Health in Buildings'; and 'Intelligent Buildings'.

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED

Registration Information

Key Dates

Registration Fees
The registration fee includes attendance at all lectures, refreshments and lunch

Membership Information

Members of the Institute of Physics
All members of the Institute of Physics including those with an application pending
Staff at Institute Affiliated Plus Schools
Members of co-sponsoring Institutes and Societies
Members of other Societies which have a Companion Society or collaboration agreement with the Institute of Physics 

Concessionary
The Concessionary rate is available to student and retired members of the Institute of Physics and those on a career break or a low income.

Non Members
Non members can now join the Institute of Physics for a 3 month period and during this time take advantage of membership benefits including attending conferences at the reduced members rate. For further information and to join, please see http://www.iop.org or contact members_AT_iop.org

Membership of the Institute of Physics is open to all those with an interest in Physics. For further information, please visit http://members.iop.org  or e-mail members_AT_iop.org

Registration

Register online to take advantage of the reduced registration fee. On-line registrations is available only to those paying by debit or credit card. All payments will be processed securely using WorldPay and confirmation of your payment will be sent by e-mail once the transaction is complete.

For those unable to register on-line, you can download a PDF Registration form here and return together with a remittance for fees to the Registrations Department, The Institute of Physics, 76 Portland Place, London W1B 1NT, UK or by fax to +44 (0)20 7470 4900. Please note that unless payment is received prior to the conference, your booking will not be guaranteed - please see alternative payment methods .

Confirmation of Booking
On-line - Confirmation of your booking will appear on the screen prior to entering payment details. Please print this page for your records. Confirmation will follow via mail within five days of registering.
Registration via hard copy - Confirmation of your booking will be sent within ten days of registering. If payment is not enclosed with your registration form, you will receive a pro-forma invoice which must be paid prior to the conference.
If you do not receive written confirmation within the dates specified above, please e-mail registrations_AT_iop.org

Value Added Tax
Charges shown in this document are exempt from VAT unless otherwise indicated. Where VAT is applicable it is shown and calculated at the current standard rate of 17.5%. If the rate is altered as a result of government legislation charges may be adjusted accordingly. A tax invoice/receipt will be issued to those indicating that this is required on the registration form. The Institute's VAT registration number is 461-6000-84.

Cancellations
Registrants who cancel their booking before the cancellation deadline of 4 September 2008 will receive a full refund minus a 20% administrative charge. All cancellations must be in writing (please note that organisers cannot accept any cancellation made over the telephone, unless it is accompanied by a cancellation of the booking in writing). No refund can be made to those notifying cancellation from 5 September 2008 onwards. 

Enquiries

Jane Lowe
The Institute of Physics
76 Portland Place
London
W1B 1NT

Tel: +44 (0)20 7470 4800
Fax: +44 (0)20 7470 4900
E-mail: jane.lowe_AT_iop.org

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