Epidemiology of Electromagnetic Fields

This book gives an overview of the epidemiological methods used to research the effects of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) on human health. The first part of the book introduces epidemiological concepts and principles, providing appropriate examples and tips for practical usage. The second part details the state of scientific knowledge for some controversial issues in EMF research, while the third part considers how novelty, the steep increase of radiofrequency (RF) EMF exposure from wireless communications, and other challenges affect risk assessment today.

Martin Roosli has a background in atmospheric physics and a PhD in environmental epidemiology. He is a professor at the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute in Basel. His research focuses on environmental health and includes exposure assessment studies, etiological research, and health risk assessment in the areas of electromagnetic fields, ionizing radiation, noise exposure, passive smoking, climate change, and ambient air pollution. He has conducted epidemiological studies on personal exposure and health effects of electromagnetic fields, is a member of various national and international commissions on environmental health risk, and has published numerous scientific papers, reviews, and book chapters.

Introduction. Part I Epidemiological Concepts and Principles. Epidemiological Study Design: Architecture for Research. Occupational EMF Studies. Epidemiological Exposure Assessment. Selection and Detection Bias. Confounding, Reverse Causation, and Ecological Fallacy. Part II State of Scientific Knowledge. Exposures to ELF-EMF in Everyday Environments. Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields in Our Everyday Environment. Childhood Leukemia and Extremely Low-Frequency Magnetic Fields: Critical Evaluation of Epidemiologic Evidence Using Hill's Framework. Adult Cancer and Extremely Low-Frequency Magnetic Fields. Neurodegenerative Diseases and ELF-EMF. Brain Tumors and Mobile Phone Use: The Cohort Approach. Brain Tumors and Mobile Phone Use: The Case-Control Approach. Brain Tumors and Mobile Phone Use: The Ecological Approach. Synthesis of Epidemiological Studies on Mobile Phone Use and the Risk of Brain Tumors. Electromagnetic Fields, Symptoms and Idiopathic Environmental Intolerance. Part III The Broader Perspective. How Can Future Epidemiology and Laboratory Studies Complement Each Other?. What If? The Public Health Perspective. An Outlook into Future EMF Exposure Scenarios. Future of EMF Epidemiology. Index.