Program for Control of Electromagnetic Pollution of the Environment: The Assessment of Biological Hazards of Nonionizing Electromagnetic Radiation
Authors not listed · 1972
Government agencies recognized electromagnetic radiation as environmental pollution requiring control programs over 50 years ago.
Plain English Summary
This 1972 government report outlined a comprehensive program to control electromagnetic pollution in the environment, addressing biological hazards from nonionizing electromagnetic radiation. The document represented early federal recognition of EMF as an environmental concern requiring systematic management and oversight.
Why This Matters
What makes this 1972 government report remarkable is its timing. Just as the telecommunications revolution was beginning, federal agencies were already identifying electromagnetic pollution as an environmental hazard requiring active control measures. The report's focus on biological hazards from nonionizing radiation demonstrates that concerns about EMF health effects aren't new or fringe - they've been on the government's radar for over 50 years.
The reality is that electromagnetic pollution has only intensified since 1972. Where government agencies once saw the need for environmental control programs, we now live with exponentially higher EMF exposures from WiFi, cell towers, smart devices, and 5G networks. This early recognition of EMF as pollution requiring management underscores how far we've drifted from precautionary approaches to electromagnetic radiation in our environment.
Finding
Biological effects and potential hazards of electromagnetic radiations (0 Hz ~ 3000 GHz) even at relatively low power densities are a matter of particular concern to a number of Federal agencies and non-Government organizations.
In their words
“Biological effects and potential hazards of electromagnetic radiations (0 Hz ~ 3000 GHz) even at relatively low power densities are a matter of particular concern to a number of Federal agencies and non-Government organizations.”
Source
(1972) (1972)Exposure Details
- Power Density
- 10 mW/cm2
Exposure Context
This study used 10 mW/cm2 for radio frequency:
- 1,000Mx above the Building Biology guideline of 0.1 μW/m²
- 16.7Mx above the BioInitiative Report recommendation of 0.0006 μW/cm²
Building Biology guidelines are practitioner-based limits from real-world assessments. BioInitiative Report recommendations are based on peer-reviewed science. Check Your Exposure to compare your own measurements.
Where This Falls on the Concern Scale
Study Details
To develop the necessary understanding for assessing the situation and to provide a rational scientific basis for establishing safety and remedial measures, as warranted. OTP's concern stems from its responsibilities for Government use of the spectrum; the U.S. Government being the largest single user. Inherent in these responsibilities is OTP's concern for the establishment of criteria to assure protection of the public while permitting effective use of radiative equipment.
Show BibTeX
@article{program_for_control_of_electromagnetic_pollution_of_the_environment_the_assessme_g7383,
author = {Unknown},
title = {Program for Control of Electromagnetic Pollution of the Environment: The Assessment of Biological Hazards of Nonionizing Electromagnetic Radiation},
year = {1972},
}