ORNL's lab is one of just a handful that will do EMF replication studies. Paul Gailey of Energy Division cited ORNL's multidisciplinary strength and cooperation across programs and divisions as one factor in obtaining funding for the EMF lab. By national research center standards, the EMF lab is remarkably cozy, fitting into a small laboratory in Building 4500-South. Gailey cited three reasons for the controversy about EMFs and associated health suspicions. First, in some epidemiological studies since 1979, correlations between higher incidences of certain cancers and EMF exposures are noted.
Risks are very small, however, making any real effect questionable.
Second, there is no apparent physical mechanism for EMF health effects. Third, none of the lab effects reported in past studies have been consistently replicated, which is where ORNL's center and its exposure systems come in. Despite the lack of hard evidence, there is some reason to suspect biological effects, Gailey said. Animal studies indicated there could be endocrine-hormonal effects. Researchers have also noted changes in cell membranes.