GERONIMO - Launch of a new European project on health effects of electromagnetic fields
A new European project called GERoNIMO (Generalised EMF Research using Novel Methods) on the health effects of EMF has been launched in Spain.
The press release summarises the project and says:
The European population is increasingly exposed to new physical and chemical agents in the environment, some of which may be damaging to health. Among these, electromagnetic fields (EMF) are one of the most widespread, and their application in new technologies continues to grow, with novel uses being actively developed and commercialised. Although there is some concern among the public and public health professionals alike about possible health effects related to EMF, results of studies to date are inconsistent.
The GERoNiMO (Generalised EMF Research using Novel Methods) project, which is being launched this month, proposes to close gaps of knowledge on health effects of EMF and reduce exposure. To achieve this, it will use an integrated approach, bringing together researchers from different disciplines (biology, engineering and physics, epidemiology and public health, radiation protection and risk assessment and communication), 19 different research institutions (see below) and 13 countries to address key questions related to EMF, specifically to:
- better understand the mechanisms underlying possible health effects of EMF;
- better characterise current and future levels of EMF exposure in Europe;
- further the state of knowledge on EMF and health;
- improve health risk assessment of EMF; and
- reinforce policy development and propose non-technological means to reduce EMF exposure.
GERoNiMO is a five year project, coordinated by Professor Elisabeth Cardis, head of the Radiation Programme at the Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), an ISGlobal alliance research center, in Barcelona, Spain. It is funded by the European Union.