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[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 241 (Tuesday, December 16, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65814-65815]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-32742]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN RESOURCES

National Institutes of Health

Electric and Magnetic Fields Research and Public Information; 
Dissemination (EMFRAPID) Program; Environmental Toxicology Program, 
Office of Special Programs; National Institute of Environmental Health 
Sciences, National Institutes of Health

NOTICE: Second EMF Science Review Symposium--EMFRAPID Program.

Background

    The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and 
the Department of Energy (DOE) are coordinating the implementation of 
the Electric and Magnetic Fields (EMF) Research and Public Information 
Dissemination (RAPID) Program. EMFRAPID was established by the 1992 
Energy Policy Act (Section 2118 for Public Law 102-486) which was 
signed in October 1992. This five-year effort is designed to determine 
the potential effect from exposure to 60 Hz electric and magnetic 
fields on biological systems, especially those produced by the 
generation, transmission and use of electric energy. DOE is responsible 
for characterizing field exposures and for mitigating exposures which 
may be hazardous. The NIEHS is responsible for the development and 
implementation of a research program on the possible human health 
effects of electric and magnetic fields (EMF). The RAPID Program 
requires the NIEHS to report on the extent to which exposure to 
electric and magnetic fields adversely affects human health.
    The NIEHS has three groups that assist in managing and directing 
the science portion of RAPID and who will provide guidance on reporting 
on the health effects of electric and magnetic fields. The first, known 
as the Interagency Agency Committee on Electric and Magnetic Fields 
(IAC) is composed of representatives from 10 federal agencies with 
responsibilities related to electric and magnetic fields (DOE, NIEHS, 
the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Defense 
(DOD), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the 
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Department 
of Transportation (DOT), the Rural Electrification Administration 
(REA), the Department of the Interior (DOI), and the Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission (FERC)). The IAC, established by the President of 
the United States, must also prepare a final report for Congress.
    The second is the National Electric and Magnetic Field Advisory 
Committee (NEMFAC). NEMFAC consists of representatives from public 
interest groups, organized labor, state governments, academia, and 
industry. This groups advises DOE and NIEHS on the design and 
implementation of the program. NEMFAC also provides recommendations to 
the IAC.
    Finally, the NIEHSA has an internal EMF Steering Committee (SC) 
consisting of senior scientists with broad programmatic 
responsibilities and a broad scientific perspective. The SC manages all 
aspects of the EMFRAPID Research Program at the NIEHS.

NIEHS Report on Human Health Effects of EMF

    The report development process combines a critical evaluation of 
the scientific literature with an assessment of the strength of the 
evidence for human health effects resulting from EMF exposures. To 
accomplish the initial part of this process, the NIEHS is convening a 
series of open, public symposia on science related to EMF exposures and 
their biological effects for these study areas: theoretical/in vitro 
research findings, epidemiological results, and in vivo/clinical 
laboratory findings. The symposia (March 1997, January 1998, and April 
1998) provide

[[Page 65815]]

a forum for the discussion and evaluation of the research findings in 
the selected area. At each symposia the participants consider the 
quality and reproducibility of the research findings for evaluating the 
degree to which scientific evidence can support a causal linkage 
between EMF and biological/health effects. Written reports summarizing 
the deliberations of breakout group discussion sessions are publicly 
available for the first symposium (send name and address to f:919-541-
0144 or from EMFRAPID Progrm/LCBRA, NIEHS, PO Box 12233, MD EC-16, 
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709). The participants for each symposium 
include scientists studying EMF effects in the science area being 
reviewed, experts on measuring and producing EMF exposures, risk 
assessment experts, and recognized scientists in the area being 
evaluated who may have little EMF experience but can contribute to a 
broader understanding of the research findings.
    Following the symposia a working group meeting is planned for June 
1998. The working group will use information from the symposia's 
discussions as well as perform on overall critical evaluation of the 
literature and produce a report. This document will draw conclusions on 
the strength and robustness of the data and its implications for human 
health effects and disease etiology.
    Per the request from Congress, the NIEHS will use the final report 
of the working group, information obtained from the science review 
symposia and other relevant information to prepare a report to Congress 
on the potential for human health effects from exposure to EMF that 
result from the production and distribution of electricity. This report 
will be made publicly available at the time it is sent to Congress. 
Detailed information about the EMFRAPID Program is available at the 
time it is sent to Congress. Detailed information about the EMFRAPID 
Program is available on the world wide web at www.niehs.nih.gov/emfrapid/home.htm.

Science Review Symposium on Epidemiology: Open to the Public

    In its series of science review symposia, the second EMF Science 
Review Symposium is scheduled for January 12-14, 1998 at the Camberley 
Gunter Hotel, San Antonio, Texas. This meeting includes plenary 
overview talks on exposure assessment, methodological issues and 
problems in epidemiological studies as well as substantive talks on 
disease endpoints. Breakout group sessions are planned for in-depth 
discussions of the research findings from epidemiological studies as 
well as methodological and exposure assessment issues. This meeting is 
open to the public and the registration fee is $85; for registration 
information contact t:919-541-7534 or f:919-541-0144.

Science Review Symposium on Clinical and In vivo Research Studies

    Planning is underway for the third EMF Science Review Symposium, 
April 6-9, 1998 at the Hyatt Regency at Civic Plaza, Phoenix, Arizona. 
To receive additional information about this meeting, send your name 
and address to f:919-541-0144 or EMFRAPID Program/LCBRA, NIEHS, PO Box 
12233, MD EC-16, Research Triange Park, NC 27709.

    Dated: December 2, 1997.
Samuel H. Wilson,
Deputy Director, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
[FR Doc. 97-32742 Filed 12-15-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-M
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