Perception of risks from electromagnetic fields: lessons for the future.

摘要: Technologies based on extremely highfrequency electromagnetic fields, inparticular in the terahertz region, arequite recent and new to public. While anumber of advantages have been shown,especially biomedical area,biological effects possible healthimplications not fullyinvestigated. The experience gained withelectromagnetic fields lowerfrequencies, from ELF microwaves,suggests that innovating technologies maycreate concern, or even fear, among thepublic for hypothetical health risks.Social research has shown worries arerelated perception risks by more than their actual existence.Risk depends several factors,many which are relevant forelectromagnetic fields. They include lackof familiarity with agent, difficultyin understanding interaction mechanisms,and uncertainty scientific knowledge.Lessons learnt past lead torecommend specific onbiological radiationbe started very beginning thedevelopment technological applicationsand a continuous effectivedialogue be established between thescientific community