Comment on “Developing Policy in the Face of Scientific Uncertainty: Interpreting 0.3 μT or 0.4 μT Cutpoints from EMF Epidemiologic Studies” by Kheifets et al. in Risk Analysis, 25 (4), 927–935

The above article (Kheifets et al., 2006a) has led to an exchange of correspondence between Kundi (2006) and the authors (Kheifets et al., 2006b). Developing policy on the avoidance of exposure to power frequency electric and magnetic fields (PF EMFs) based solely on the possible increased risk of childhood leukemia may materially underestimate the possible adverse health effects of such exposures and therefore significantly distort any cost-benefit considerations for such avoidance. Kundi (2006) claimed: “Some evidence exists for a relationship to cardiovascular diseases, Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, childhood and adult brain cancer, male and female breast cancer, and adverse pregnancy outcomes.” Kheifets et al. (2006b) replied that this statement “is not supported by current scientific knowledge.” That of course begs the question of how “evidence” and “supported” are defined but Kundi’s mild claim was only that some evidence exists. In fact there is a mixed picture and widely differing views have been expressed concerning the extent of adverse health effects resulting from PF EMF exposures. Table I summarizes the findings from three review bodies, the U.S. National Institute of Environmental Sciences (NIEHS, 1999), the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC, 2002), and the California Health Department of Health Services Report on PF EMFs (CDHS, 2002). In addition to childhood leukemia, CDHS (2002) classifies