In This Issue...

• Call for Papers - BEMS '96
• Prudent Avoidance Recommended in Sweden
• Criteria Group for Physical Risk Factors
• Election Announcement - BEMS '96
• Letter to the Editor
• From - W. Irnich
• Reply - W. Loscher
• Mobile Phones: EC Prepares Research Plan
• Computational Electromagnetics
• NCRP to Update RF/MW Bioeffects Report
• Abstracts - Magnetic Field Transients
• Johnson, Kavet and Sastre
• Guttman and Zaffanella
• SPRBM Column
• In Case You Missed It
• BEMS Winter Board Meeting
• Preliminary Plans Underway for Victoria
• Calendar
• Contact Information

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CALL FOR PAPERS FOR BEMS '96 ANNUAL MEETING 
VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA

Original papers are now being solicited, for presentation in English, either from the platform or via poster, on the interaction of electromagnetic energy (from zero Hertz through the visible light frequencies) with biological systems. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to the following categories: dosimetry; epidemiology; exposure, measurement, instrumentation; in vitro studies - calcium, signal transduction, gene expression, other; in vivo studies - carcinogenesis, behavior, other; mechan-isms of interaction; medical applications - diagnostic, therapeutic; quality control in bioelectromagnetics research [Joint BEMS and the European Bioelectromagnetics Association (EBEA) session]; safety standards; risk, policy and public communication; and electromagnetic hypersensitivity.

The Technical Program Committee (TPC) is chaired by Dr. Richard Luben, Vice President/President-Elect. Local arrangements for the meeting are being made by William Wisecup, Executive Director and the Local Arrangements Committee. The Technical Program includes workshops, mini-symposia, student paper competitions and exhibits.

Authors wishing to present papers must submit an abstract to the Chair of the TPC at the address listed below. Instructions for submission of abstracts have been mailed to BEMS members from the Society's Headquarters - strict adherence to the instructions is requested. Additional forms may be requested by phoning or faxing BEMS Headquarters Office at (301) 663-4252 or (301) 371-8955, respectively. Abstracts submitted by non-members must be sponsored by a Full Member of BEMS. An award will be given for the best student paper presented at the meeting. Student submissions must be so identified for consideration and the student must be the first author.

The deadline for receipt of abstracts is January 6, 1996. Submit abstracts to: Dr. Richard Luben, The Bioelectromagnetics Society, 7519 Ridge Road, Frederick, MD 21702-3519. E-mail 75230.1222@compuserve.com

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NO MAGNETIC FIELD LIMITS IN SWEDEN, BUT PRUDENT AVOIDANCE IS RECOMMENDED

The National Institute for Working Life in Sweden (former National Institute of Occupational Health) has a Criteria Group with responsibility to develop and evaluate relevant scientific material as a guidance for the standard setting in occupational exposure. The Group has now been looking into the question of magnetic fields and cancer.

To do this work the Group has asked a gathering of experts to evaluate the experimental and epidemiological findings, and this expert panel has now published their document as a 107 page supplement to the Eur. J. Cancer Prevent. (1). The conclusions of the expert panel are "that there are possible associations between (i) an increased risk of leukemia in children and the existence of, or distance to, power lines in the vicinity of their residence, (ii) an increased risk of chronic lymphatic leukemia and occupational exposure to low frequency electromagnetic fields and (iii) an increased risk of breast cancer, malignant melanoma of the skin, nervous system tumors, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, acute lymphatic leukemia or acute myeloid leukemia and certain occupations." It is not possible according to the experts to set an environmental or occupational exposure limit on this scientific basis.

The Criteria Group (2) has also made an evaluation of their own on the latest findings in the area (Bergqvist, ref 3) and based on these documents they made the following summary statements.

a) The scientific evidence regarding ELF magnetic fields and cancer is summarized as follows: occupational exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields is considered a possible carcinogen - in terms of total leukemia, chronic lymphatic lukemia (CLL) and malignant brain tumors.

b) This is not considered sufficient to advocate exposure limits within the framework of "health based threshold limits as a base for exposure limits."

c) However, there is a possibility to act in accordance with a "strategy of caution for an uncertain risk." The Criteria Group suggests that relevant authorities consider this.

At the same meeting, the five Swedish regulatory authorities with responsibilities - under different Acts - that relate to the issue, declared as a common policy that they would advocate a prudent avoidance strategy. These agencies are the National Board for Occupational Safety and Health, the National Institute for Radiation Protection, the National Institute for Health and Welfare, the Board for Electrical Safety, and the Board for National Housing.

References:

1. Hardell, L., Holmberg, B., Malker, H. and Paulsson, L-E. "Exposure to Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Fields and the Risk of Malignant Diseases - An Evaluation of Epidemiological and Experimental Findings". Eur. J. Cancer Prevent. 4, Supplement 1, 1995, pp. 3-107.

(Reference 1 can be ordered from Rapid Communications of Oxford Ltd, Attn: Julie Gribben, The Old Malthouse, Paradise Street, Oxford, OX1, 1LD, Great Britain. Fax +44 1865 24 40 12)

2. The Criteria Group for Physical Risk Factors. "Magnetic Fields and Cancer - A Criteria Document". (In Swedish) Arbete och HŠlsa 1995:13, pp. 1-10.

3. Bergqvist, U. "Epidemiological Studies of Possible Associations Between Occupational Exposure to Magnetic Fields and Cancer - A Review". (In Swedish) Arbete och HŠlsa 1995:11, pp. 1-26.

(References 2 and 3 can be ordered from the National Institute for Working Life, "Forlagstjanst," S-171 84 Solna, Sweden. Fax +46 8 730 9888)

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CRITERIA GROUP FOR PHYSICAL RISK FACTORS SUMMARY OF MAGNETIC FIELDS AND CANCER

This document summarizes certain issues concerning whether scientific support exists for developing limits of exposures for occupational exposure to low frequency magnetic fields. Effects under discussion in the document are certain forms of leukemia and brain tumors.

There is a lack of knowledge concerning the relevant exposure measure for a possible association between magnetic fields and biological effects. Based on performed epidemiological studies, the discussion is centered on the external exposure in terms of average exposure in uT during a certain time period, or in terms of accumulated exposure during a number of years.

The Criteria Group for Physical Risk Factors notes that animal experiments do not give sufficient support for a relationship between cancer and exposure to magnetic fields. Epidemiological studies show a certain, credible but weak, support for the hypothesis of an association between brain tumors and certain forms of leukemia and magnetic field exposure. An overall evaluation of both animal and epidemiological studies is that occupational exposure could possibly be a human carcinogen. There is, however, a lack of data to determine whether a dose-response relationship exists.

The Criteria Group summarizes the situation such that the scientific data base is insufficient to develop limits of exposures. This does not exclude other steps to reduce exposure - based, for example, on some form of strategy of caution.

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BEMS ELECTION ANNOUNCEMENT 1996

• 12 January: Deadline for receipt by the Chairman of the Nominating Committee of nomination suggestions and/or petitions signed by ten (10) qualified members.
• 5 April: Ballot packet mailed first class to the voting members.
• 22 May: Deadline for ballots to be received at the BEMS office.
• 12 June : Annual Business Meeting - Announcement of the election results.

Article IV, Paragraph 8 of the Constitution states "No Officer or Member of the Board, except the Editor-in-Chief, shall be eligible for election to the same office for two (2) consecutive terms."

The following positions have to be filled: Vice President (President Elect); one (1) Member for the Engineering/Physical Sciences, a three (3) year term (ending 1999); two (2) Members for the Biological/Medical Sciences, both three (3) year terms (ending 1999); and one (1) Member at Large, for a three (3) year term (ending 1999).

No particular format for your suggestions is required, but to be considered they must be received by 12 January 1996 at the following address: Dr. James C. Lin, Department EECS (M/C 154), University of Illinois at Chicago, 851 S. Morgan Street, Chicago, IL 60607-7053, USA. Fax: (312) 413-0024.

Direct Nomination by Petition: To further exercise your rights and privileges in the nominating process, you may nominate by petition, by-passing the Nominating Committee process for naming candidates. The origin of nominations, whether by petition or Nominating Committee action, will not be designated on the official ballot and the candidate's names for each position will be in alphabetical order. A petition nominating a candidate must contain the signatures of ten (10) eligible Members of the Society and must be received by 12 January 1996 at Dr. Lin's address given above.

The nominee must consent to stand for election and should submit with the petition a short biographical sketch, which will appear with the Ballot materials. The format of the sketch should follow the guidelines given below:

Total length: 8-10 typed lines. Format: Last name, First (or normally used) name, middle initial; present job title and affiliation. Education. Professional employment history. Highlights of research and/or professional activities. Research interests.

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR

In their abstract (BEMS 95, 18-2) the authors conclude: "Collectively, the data demonstrate that long-term exposure of DMBA-treated female rats promotes the growth and progression of mammary tumors in a highly dose-related fashion." They calculate a correlation coefficient of 0.9944 (P 0.01) for this relation and make one believe that there is nothing questionable. However, questions must be raised for four reasons:

1) The tumor incidence was surprisingly equal for all flux densities and was, if I remember well, between 50% and 55%.

2) The tumor incidence of the sham-exposed rats was astonishingly different and ranged between 35% and 55%. If the incidence of these sham-exposed groups with the flux density of the exposed groups is linearly correlated, a correlation exists of the form

with the high correlation coefficient of r = -0.97 (if my notes of the presentations are correct.)

3) The correlation coefficient under 2) proves that a high value must not necessarily express certainty, otherwise sham-exposure would be a contradiction per se. The high correlation in 2) is by chance, without any significance or relevance.

4) If 3) is true, then the difference in incidence between exposed and unexposed is equally without relevance because the linear relationship of the difference is exclusively determined by the linearity of the sham-exposed groups which was accidental. Therefore, the interpretation of the results to be "highly dose related," can only be maintained if the proof is furnished that two sham-groups, "non-exposed" simultaneously will yield the same results though these results are very different if not simultaneously "non-exposed."

My opinion: The unambignous interpretation of the author needs a question mark.

Werner Irnich
Professor of Bioelectronics
Department of Medical Engineering
Medical Center of Ecology
Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen

Dr. Loscher's reply...

In the 4 experiments done (using a total of 666 rats and 4 different flux densities, ranging between 0.3 and 100 uT), tumor incidence in MF exposed animals ranged between 52% and 70% (not 50% and 55% as quoted by Dr. Irnich). Mean tumor incidence was 62%. In the 4 concurrent experiments with sham-exposure, control tumor incidence ranged between 35% and 61%; mean tumor incidence in controls was 51%. If average tumor incidence in all MF- and sham-exposed rat groups is compared (disregarding the differences in flux densities), the average tumor incidence in MF-exposured animals (62%) is significantly higher (P 0.01) than in controls (51%), making the possibility that this difference was obtained by chance very small ( 1%). When data of the 4 experiments were not averaged but results observed at the different flux densities were compared, a significant linear relationship between flux density and tumor co-promoting effect of MF exposure was obtained as described in abstract and full paper; at 100 uT the difference to concurrent controls was 50%.

The fact that tumor incidence may vary as a function of season and genetic differences within rat strain used was the reason to carry out concurrent controls in all 4 experiments. In all 4 experiments, tumor incidence during MF exposure was higher compared to concurrent controls, again making the possibility that this difference was obtained by chance quite small. Nevertheless, we currently plan to replicate our findings, which will be funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. Furthermore, replicate studies in other laboratories are under way.

Wolfgang Loscher
Professor and Chairman
Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy
School of Veterinary Medicine
P. O. Box 71 11 80
D-30545 Hannover, Germany

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MOBILE PHONES: THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION PREPARES A RESEARCH PLAN ON POSSIBLE HEALTH EFFECTS

The Bangemann Group report (1) identified mobile and personal communications as a necessary building block of the Information Society and advised on the strengthening of its potential. Mobile and personal communications are expected to become the key motor for growth and innovation in telecommunications over the next decade. In some of the more advanced mobile markets in Europe, it is expected that more than 50% of all telephone accesses will be wireless by as early as the year 2000.

With the growth of mobile and personal communications and the penetration of radio telephone systems into the mass consumer market, questions are increasingly being asked on safety and health related issues; moreover, opposition is being expressed against the installation of radio base stations in urban areas because of perceived hazards to human health.

The evidence regarding health and safety risks arising from the use of mobile phones is tenuous. Nevertheless, the subject of human health in conjunction with the use of mobile phones is a very complex matter. While the thermal effects of exposure to radio frequency energy are relatively well known, there is a lively debate as regards the athermal effects for which, however, no convincing adverse effect has been demonstrated. Research into this latter area is difficult and time-consuming and will have to involve experts from a multiplicity of different disciplines such as biologists, epidemiologists, physicists, pathologists and physicians.

It is in this context that the Commission, supported by the recent Resolutions of the Council and the European Parliament, has adopted a decision to prepare the blueprint for a comprehensive action plan for research into the possible effects of mobile telecommunications on human health.

Given the complexity and comprehensiveness, starting a research program requires that an action plan is established first, defining such things as scope and focus, organizational matters, and agreement on financing the program. It will also have to take account of present research activity carried out in the Community and indeed the rest of the world.

A group of eight experts will be requested to produce the blueprint by April 1996. On the basis of the blueprint, the Commission will decide whether or not to launch a comprehensive research program by the middle of next year. The group of eight experts include: Dr. A. F. McKinlay, Chairman, National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB), Chilton, Didcot, Oxon, United Kingdom; Prof. J. H. Bernhardt, Bundesamt fŸr Strahlenschutz, Germany; Prof. J¿rgen Bach Andersen, Aalborg University, Director, Center for Personal Telecommunications, Review of Bioeffects, Aalborg, Denmark; Prof. M. Grandolfo, Instituto Superiore di Sanita, Italy; Dr. Kjell Hansson Mild, National Institute for Working Life, Umea, Sweden; Prof. Constantin Hossmann, Max-Planck-Institut fŸr Neurologische Forschung, Director, Kšln, Germany; Dr. Luc Verschaeve, VITO, Environmental Division, Radiobiology and Ecophysiology, Mol, Belgium; and Dr. Bernard Veyret, University of Bordeaux 1, Director of Research in Chemical Physics, Growth Tumor Cells and Antibody Response, Talence Cedex, France.

(1) Europe and the Global Information Society. Recommendations to the European Council, Brussels, 26 May 1994.

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COMPUTATIONAL ELECTROMAGNETICS IN RADIATION PROTECTION

When James Clerk Maxwell completed his equations describing electromagnetic theory in 1862, he left it for others to address how they might be solved. For a century or more solutions were restricted to certain simple classes of problem such as spheres, plane electromagnetic waves and resonant cavities and were of an analytical nature. In order to analyze more general structures such as the human body, it is necessary to use modern computationally intensive techniques. This is the realm of computational electromagnetics (CEM) and this article describes the ways in which NRPB is applying CEM in the areas of internal dosimetry, instrument calibration and modeling of electromagnetic sources.

One major application of CEM is in the area of dosimetry, where the techniques employed are intended to provide the link between external measurement quantities and dose quantities in the body. In electromagnetic dosimetry the external quantities are electric and magnetic field strengths and the dose quantities are induced electric field strength, current, current density, SAR (specific absorption rate) and temperature rise.

Restrictions on current density and SAR established from biological consideration form the basis of NRPB exposure guidelines (1) and derived external field strengths, termed investigation levels, provide a framework for assessing compliance. At low frequencies, quasi-static approximations can be used to determine investigation levels for electric and magnetic fields separately, while at higher frequencies a plane wave is assumed. Where an exposed individual is sufficiently close to a radiofrequency source it may be necessary to carry out source-specific modeling work to show compliance directly with the internal dose quantities.

A program to develop anatomically realistic numerical phantoms from greyscale magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been undertaken at NRPB. This has produced models of the human head in which the tissues are identified at a resolution of 1 mm, and more recently a model of the complete body. Published values for the conductivities and permittivities of the tissues are fed into a finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) code which is used to calculate the SARs and induced currents corresponding to a variety of exposure scenarios, including plane waves and a short dipole close to the head. The plane-wave exposure condition is used to develop investigation levels for compliance with the basic restrictions.

More recently, models of cellular telephone handsets have been coupled to the head model in order to deduce the relationship between radiated powers and SARs produced (2) (see figure below). Consideration of a variety of exposure geometries has yielded the results that in order to restrict the SAR to 10 W kg-1 in any 10 g of tissue during normal operation, handsets should not radiate powers greater than 3.2 W at 900 MHz and 2.2 W at 1.8 GHz. FDTD predictions of the near-fields from handsets in the absence of a head have been compared with predictions from wire-grid modeling using an antenna modeling code, known as numerical electromagnetics code (NEC), and have shown agreement to within a few per cent.

Apart from dosimetric calculations, computer codes are used to model sources of electromagnetic fields and assess their hazard potential by defining, where necessary, safe distances. For broadcast antennas, NEC has been found to be very useful and agrees well with measurements, where they are available. An aperture modeling code has been produced which is used to model reflector antennas such as those used with microwave links and radar installations. This code replaces the aperture with a current sheet and then performs an integration to determine the field strength at points in front of the antenna.

There is much interest in the radiation from cellular telephone base stations at present and a simple line-source modeling program is used to analyze omni-antennas consisting of vertical dipole arrays. It is intended to use NEC to model dipoles in corner reflectors in order to analyze sector antennas in the near future. The final use of CEM at NRPB is in the characterization of probe calibration facilities. Codes have been written to calculate electric fields inside parallel plate test cells and also to derive corrections for the calibrations of large meters in such cells. A code has also been written to calculate the magnetic fields produced by Helmholtz coils.

Much of the radiofrequency dosimetry used in human exposure guidelines still employs models which pre-date the advent of practical FDTD computations and the development of anatomical phantoms. Thus the main CEM task at NRPB today is the development of radio-frequency protection standards based entirely on accurate modeling of anatomical human phantoms.

References

(1) NRPB, Restrictions on exposure to static and time varying electromagnetic fields and radiation. Doc. NRPB, 4, No. 5, 7-63, 1993.

(2) Dimbylow, P. J., and Mann, S. M. SAR calculations in an anatomically realistic model of the head for mobile communication transceivers at 900 MHz and 1.8 GHz. Phys. Med. Biol., 39, No. 10, 1537-53, 1994.

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NCRP TO UPDATE REPORT ON BIOEFFECTS RF/MW RADIATION

The report will address thermal and nonthermal responses, continuous and pulsed fields, and exposure criteria. It will include sections on molecular, cellular and tissue interaction; effects on blood, endocrine, immune, nervous and reproductive systems; behavioral and ocular effects; epidemiology; and medical applications.

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ABSTRACTS

RESIDENTIAL MAGNETIC FIELD TRANSIENTS EFFECT OF RESIDENTIAL SERVICES ON FIELDS ARISING FROM DISTRIBUTION LINE CAPACITOR BANK SWITCHING

Guttman et al. (1993) have previously reported on the properties of residential magnetic field transients (RMFTs) recorded in a pilot study of 21 northern California homes across the Wertheimer-Leeper wire code spectrum. We have also reported that some of the largest RMFTs recorded in the pilot study can induce changes that are larger than thermal noise in the transmembrane voltage of model cells (Sastre et al., 1994). The RMFTs had very complex waveforms with hundreds to thousands of spectral components.

Objective: In an effort to understand the sources of the waveform complexity, we examined a relatively simple system, namely RMFTs that result from transient currents in primary distribution lines due to capacitor bank switching. Capacitor banks are occasionally placed along residential primary distribution lines to improve the power transfer capabilities of the line. These capacitor banks are often switched in and out of the circuit depending on the sensed load of the line, automatically by timer based on the daily load cycle, or remotely from a central location. When these capacitor banks are switched, it produces a transient current in the primary distribution line and, thus, a transient magnetic field.

Methods: Transient magnetic fields from capacitor bank switching were produced under controlled conditions using the residential subdivision that is part of EPRI's Magnetic Field Research Facility (MFRF). Capacitor bank switching transient currents were generated under increasingly complex conditions going from a simple primary distribution line without secondary transformers, residential service drops, water pipe grounding, or household appliances, to a more realistic situation with each of these elements included in an incremental fashion.

Measurements of the transient magnetic field were made on the second floor in the full scale test residence located between the capacitor bank location and the substation transformers feeding the distribution line of the MFRF subdivision line. A second bank of capacitors was located at the substation with the transformer. Measurements were also made with the residence beyond both the switched capacitor bank and the substation.

Results and Discussion: For the simplest case of a substation, distribution line, and capacitor bank, without secondary transformers and residential service drops, a switching of the capacitor bank into the circuit produces a simple, fairly pure, damped sinusoidal current waveform with a frequency of a few hundred hertz to a few thousand hertz depending on the value of the capacitance and the inductance due to the line and substation transformer. This damped sinusoid waveform becomes more complex with the addition of frequencies in the hundred kilohertz range as a secondary transformer with service drops is added to the line, even though service drops to residences are not loaded with appliances. Even more complex waveforms with frequencies in the kilohertz, tens of kilohertz, hundreds of kilohertz, and possibly higher ranges, occur when appliances are added in the test residence served by the secondary transformer. The appliances in many cases need only to be plugged-in, not necessarily in operation. The appliances used in the study were a color TV set, a microwave oven, and a refrigerator. The presence of higher frequency currents in the hundred kilohertz and possibly higher ranges as the secondary transformer and household appliances are added is likely due to oscillation of currents between the secondary transformer and the residence, and then the oscillation of currents due to the capacitance and inductance of appliances in the resi-dence. The location of the service drop for the residence can affect the magnitude and the direction of the transient magnetic field due to the transient currents flowing on the service drop. Grounding of the residence can also affect the transient currents in the line, residential serv-ice drop and other grounded elements, and thus the magnitude and direction of the resulting magnetic field. The impacts of these parameters as well as the location of the residence in relation to the position of the capacitor bank along the primary distribution line will be reported. We will also report the results of biophysical modeling that examines changes in the transmembrane voltage induced by these RMFTs in model cells and their relationship to thermal noise. This work was supported by EPRI Project RP3349.

MEASUREMENT INSTRUMENTATION FOR A STUDY OF TRANSIENTS AND WIRE CODE CLASSIFICATIONS

Exposure to transient magnetic fields has been postulated as one of several possible explanations of the so-called "Wire Code Paradox." To this end, ENERTECH Consultants, under the sponsorship of the Electric Power Research Institute, has been performing an investigation into the residential transient magnetic field environment and the potential association between exposure to magnetic field transients and Wertheimer-Leeper wire configuration codes. A recent measurement survey (1,2) of transient magnetic fields performed in 21 residences in northern California found a significantly greater number of transients in Very High Current Configuration (VHCC) residences which were classified as having been generated external to the residences and which had dominant frequencies in the range of 100 kHz and below. (In contrast, the numbers of internally generated transients was similar across wire codes.) A second series of transient measurements, called the Transient/Wire Code Study, to be performed in 1995, focuses on the measurement of transients at frequencies below 100 kHz with the aim of determining if indeed there is any relationship between these transients and wire codes. In this study, measurements of transients occurring in pairs of groups of 4 or more residences are performed, with the residences in each pair served by the same primary distribution feeder. Within each pair there is one group of VHCC residences and once group of LCC residences, with each group served by the same secondary distribution transformer. The measurements of each group of residences are performed at the secondary distribution transformer which serves the residential group. The occurrence of transients in 3 residences in each group are monitored using current transformers to measure net transient current. A magnetic field probe monitors the presence of transient fields in the vicinity of the primary distribution wires. In addition, the 60-Hz line currents are measured separately in each of the 3 residences and collectively in the remaining residences served by the transformer to determine the source of each transient.

Objective: The development of a custom instrumentation system was necessary to meet the objectives of the Transient/Wire Code Study. The system requirements include 3 current transformers to measure the net transient currents, 1 magnetic field sensor to measure the transient magnetic field, and 8 current transformers to measure 60-Hz line currents. This requires 12 channels of data acquisition, with 4 "high bandwidth" channels for the transient signals and 8 "low bandwidth" channels for the 60 Hz line current signals. Another requirement is that signals of either polarity above a given threshold from any one of the 4 transient sensors will trigger the data acquisition system. Finally, the system must mount to a power pole and operate autonomously for 24-hour periods of time.

Method: The measurement instrumentation was developed using standard off-the-shelf data acquisition products for use in personal computers, and commercially available current sensors. The transient magnetic field sensor was custom-built for this application.

Results: A custom measurement instrumentation system was developed and configured for use in the Transient/Wire Code Study. The system includes: 3 PRODYN I-125-2C Kwik-Latch Current Probes with -3dB bandwidth of 1-100 kHz for measurement of net transient currents; 1 magnetic field sensor with flat frequency response from 1-100 kHz; 8 Fluke Model 80i-500s AC Current Probes for measurement of 60-Hz currents, 1 National Instruments EISA-A2000 High-Speed Analog Input Board with 4 channels digitized at 250 kSA/s and 1 National Instruments AT-MIO-16X Multifunction I/O Board with 8 channels digitized at 5 kSa/s; and 11-pole elliptic anti-aliasing filters for the transient data channels. The data acquisition boards are installed in a Compaq 486DX2 66 MHz EISA personal computer. The data acquisition system is triggered using a custom trigger module which generates a common trigger signal from outputs of either polarity from the transient sensors. The system acquires a total of 49,152 bytes of data per transient event, with an average acquisition time of approximately 5 seconds. A 2-Gigabyte hard disk drive provides storage capacity for 40,690 events, allowing the system to operate continuously for approximately 56 hours. The data acquisition components are housed in a weatherproof housing for pole mounting.

This work was supported by the Electric Power Research Institute under Contract RP3349-01. The support and guidance of our EPRI project manager, Dr. Robert Kavet, are greatly appreciated.

References:

(1) J. L. Guttman, J. C. Niple, and J. M. Silva, "Preliminary Results of the California Pilot Study: A Measurement Survey of Transient Magnetic Fields Performed in 21 Residences," presented at the Annual Review of Research on Biological Effects of Electric and Magnetic Fields from the Generation, Delivery & Use of Electricity, Savannah, Georgia 1993.

(2) "Survey Measurements and Experimental Studies of Residential Transient Magnetic Fields," Interim Report TR-104532, Electric Power Research Institute, October 1994.

[The abstracts appearing above were presented as posters at the Seventeenth Annual BEMS Meeting held in Boston, Massachusetts, June 18-22, 1995.]

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SOCIETY FOR PHYSICAL REGULATION IN BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE COLUMN

The Fifteenth Annual Meeting of the Society for Physical Regulation in Biology and Medicine (SPRBM), October 12-14, 1995, was an exciting meeting, with opportunities for stimulating interchange. The program committee put together a program that reflected the expanded focus of the Society and highlighted the many biophysical influences in control of growth, repair and remodeling in biology and medicine.

Sixty five papers were presented in sessions including electromagnetic field effects on wound healing and bone remodeling and repair, electrochemical and thermal regulation of biological processes, cell injury by electric force, transductive coupling via the extracellular matrix, ultrasound, physical stimulation of cellular responses and mechanical stimulation of bone. The lively and detailed discussions following each of the papers contributed greatly to the success of the meeting dialog.

The six invited speakers and three symposia, Electromagnetic Field Effects on Wound Healing, Thermal Regulation of Biological Processes, and Ultrasound, also reflected the expanded focus of the Society. To lead off each symposium, one invited speaker discussed current clinical practice and concerns and one discussed basic science research and questions. On Thursday, Dr. Ruggero Cadossi discussed his clinical work on electromagnetic field enhancement of soft tissue healing, followed by Dr. Richard Nuccitelli, who discussed his work on the electric fields associated with skin wounds and field driven movement of keratinocytes. These set the stage for the short papers following on electromagnetic field effects on wound healing. On Friday, Dr. Mehmet Toner addressed thermal regulation of enzyme activities, while Dr. Barbara de Lateur discussed clinical applications of heat. On Saturday, Dr. Mumtaz Dinno discussed mechanisms by which ultrasound can produce effects on membrane transport mechanisms, while Dr. Marvin Ziskin discussed the fundamental properties of ultrasound in tissues for clinical applications, possible physical effects and safety issues.

At the closing banquet, the Iwao Yasuda Award was presented to Dr. Jill Urban, and the New Clinical Investigator Award was presented to Dr. W. Robert Taylor. Dr. Urban has made outstanding contributions to the field of cartilage research throughout her career. At this meeting, the outstanding quality of her work was represented by her paper, "Adaptation of Cartilage Cells to Long-Term Compression." Dr. Taylor won the New Clinical Investigator Award for his presentation "Does System Arterial Hypertension Induce an Oxidative Stress Within the Arterial Wall via Mechanical Deformation." Future issues of this column will feature Dr. Urban's and Dr. Taylor's award winning work.

At the business meeting following the scientific sessions, the election results for the new officers were announced. Fred Nelson is the New President-Elect and Janet Rubin and Mark Otter are the new council members. Congratulations to the new officers.

Planning has started for next year's meeting. Dr. Subrata Saha will be the program chair for the next meeting. Please send him any suggestions for next year's meeting at: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Loma Linda University, 11234 Anderson St., Loma Linda, CA 92354.

[Any comments or suggestions regarding topics of interest for this column are welcome from both SPRBM and BEMS members. Please contact Laura MacGinitie, Dept. of Engineering, Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, WA 98447, (206-535-7407) or Mark Otter, Department of Orthopaedics, State University of NY, T18-030 Health Science Center, Stony Brook, NY 11794-8181 (516-444-7671).]

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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...

**"Are Magnetic Storms Hazardous to Your Health?" is an article that appears in EOS, Transactions, American Geophysical Union (Vol. 76, No. 44, p. 1 ff, October 31, 1995) by Juan G. Roederer, Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska-Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK 99775-7320. In recent years, the Scientific Committee on Solar-Terrestrial Physics (SCOSTEP) of the International Council of Scientific Unions (ICSU) has been asked repeatedly to include biogeomagnetics among its international projects, but has refused. A commissioned report on this topic to SCOSTEP is available on request from Juan Roederer.

**The Senate Committee on Appropriations has cut $350,000 from the Environmental Protection Agency's EMF budget, because "The committee believes EPA should not engage in EMF activities." In a report (September 13, No. 104-140), the committee stated: "Section 2118 of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 established a federal program to investigate and report on human health effects from [EMFs]. Congress mandated that this program of research and public communication be managed jointly by the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Energy. No programmatic role was assigned to EPA, yet EPA has pursued a number of unintegrated activities on EMFs that are of questionable value."

**An article by Joseph P. Sullivan, "Fearing Electricity: Overhead Wire Panic in New York City," has appeared in the IEEE Technology and Society Magazine, Vol. 14, No. 3, Fall 1995, pp. 8-16.

**In a September 1995 issue of Epidemiology (6, pp. 485-489), Dr. De-Kun Li, Kaiser Permanente Medical Group, Division of Research, Oakland, CA, and Drs. Harvey Checkoway and Beth Mueller, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle, WA, report on the use of electric blankets during pregnancy and their association with a greater risk of birth defects in children born to women with low fertility.

**On August 7, the Congressional Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) released its report on Wireless Technologies and the National Information Structure. A section on health issues is devoted to significant changes from an earlier draft. Copies of the OTA report can be obtained for $19.00 each from: New Orders, Superintendent of Documents, PO Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250; or by calling (202) 512-1800.

**A report prepared by Australia's Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) on cellular phone risks was released in March 1995 - offering more questions than answers. The report, Status of Research on Biological Effects and Safety of Electromagnetic Radiation: Telecommunications Frequencies, which was commissioned by the Spectrum Management Agency (SMA) of the federal Department of Communications, was completed in June 1994. Free copies are available from: Roger Smith, SMA, Purple Building, Chan St., Belconnen, ACT 2617, Australia. Tel: +61 6 256-5555; Fax: +61 6 256-5200.

**The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) plans to issue a statement, Health Issues Related to the Use of Hand-Held Radiotelephones and Base Transmitters. According to Roger Matthes, ICNIRP's Scientific Secretary, German Institute for Radiation Hygiene, Neuherberg, the statement will appear in Health Physics.

**Dr. Eugene Sobel et al., have published "Occupations with Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields: A Possible Risk Factor for Alzheimer's Disease," in the American Journal of Epidemiology, 142, p. 522, September 1, 1995.

**The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers' (IEEE) Committee on Man and Radiation (COMAR) has issued a statement on Public Exposure to Radiofrequency Fields from High Definition Television (HDTV) Broadcasting which appears in the September/October 1995 issue of IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Magazine. The May/June issue presented COMAR's report on Human Exposure to Microwaves and Other RF Electromagnetic Fields.

**The EPA has published two volumes of the proceedings of its Radiofrequency Radiation Conference which was held in Washington, April 26-27, 1993. To order Summary and Results of the April 26-27, 1993, Radiofrequency Radiation Conference, Volume 1: Analysis of Panel Discussions (PB95-240537, $19.50) and Volume 2: Papers (PB95-253753, $27.00) contact: National Technical Information Service, 5285 Port Royal Rd., Springfield, VA 22161. Tel (800) 553-6847 or (703) 487-4650; Fax (703) 321-8547.

**A workshop was held on Magnetic Sensory Perception, November 12, 1995, in advance of the Department of Energy's EMF meeting in Palm Springs. Speakers included Dr. John Phillips, Indiana State University, Bloomington; Dr. Peter Semm, German Telekom, Darmstadt; and Dr. Dennis Willows, Friday Harbor Lab, University of Washington, Seattle. For further information, contact Paul Gailey, Oak Ridge National Lab., Oak Ridge, TN, who provides support for the DOE program. Telephone (615) 574-0419.

**Appearing in Biomimetics : Design and Processing of Materials, edited by M. Sarikaya and I. Aksay (AIP Press, 1995), is a chapter on "Structure and Function of Magnetosomes in Magnetotactic Bacteria," by R.B. Frankel and D.A. Bazylinski. The work was supported by the Office of Naval Research.

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BEMS WINTER BOARD MEETING

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PRELIMINARY PLANS UNDERWAY FOR BEMS '96 - VICTORIA

The Empress Hotel is the selected conference hotel and BEMS has obtained very favorable room rates [single or double at @ $125.00 (Canadian)]. This block will be held at this rate until 9 May, 1996 only. [Hotel room rates do not include 7% Goods & Service Tax (G&ST) and 10% Provincial Room Tax. This is similar to value-added taxes in Europe and BEMS Headquarters has been told that hotel accommodations for a major meeting are eligible for a G&ST rebate.] After 9 May room costs may be considerably increased. For reservations call (604) 384-8111 or fax (604) 381-4334. Hotel reservation forms will also be available in the Program and Registration Booklet. BEMS Headquarters staff are exploring possible dormitory accommodations for East Europeans and students. Most of the technical sessions and associated meetings will be held in the Victoria Convention Centre directly connected to the Empress Hotel in the heart of Victoria and essentially across the street from Inner Harbor. Overflow rooms are being blocked at The Executive House, directly across from the Conference Centre.

Victoria offers a distinctive old-world charm coupled with stunning scenery and all the conveniences of a capital city. Conde Nast Traveler magazine rated Victoria one of the top 10 places in the world to visit.

Avoid the Spring rush - make your hotel reservations early. Consider the same for travel arrangements. Options to consider are flying to Seattle, Washington, and taking a four-hour ferry to Victoria or flying to Vancouver and taking a 30-minute ferry.

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CALENDAR

February 29-March 2: 3rd International Congress of the European Bioelectromagnetics Association. Le Palais des Congres, Nancy, France. Organized by the Universite Henri Poincare - Nancy 1, Laboratoire d'Instrumentation Electronique de Nancy. (See Newsletter 126 for details.) Contact: EBEA-Nancy 96, L.I.E.N., Universite Henri Poincare - Nancy 1, BP 239 - 54506 Vandoeuvre les Nancy, France. (Tel: +33 83 91 20 71; Fax: +33 83 91 23 91; Email: ebea.nancy96@lien.u-nancy.fr)

April 14-19: 1996 International Congress on Radiation Protection (IRPA9) , Congress Center Hofburg, Vienna, Austria. See Newsletter 122 for details. Contact: Con-gress Secretariat, IRPA 9 Congress Organizing Committee, Austropa-Interconvention, P. O. Box 30, A-1043 Vienna, Austria. (Tel: +43 1 58800-299, 113; Fax: +43 1 586 7127; Telex: 133 501 vbtx a; Email: austropa@oevb.co.at)

April 22-25: Third International Non-Ionizing Radiation Workshop, Baden, Austria. Organized by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). See Newsletter 122 for details. Contact: Austropa-Interconvention , P.O. Box 30-, A-1043 Vienna, Austria (Tel: +43 1 58800-299, 113; Fax: +43 1 586 71 27; Telex: 133 501 vbtx a; Email: austropa@oevb.co.at)

May 20-22: 1996 International Conference on Electromagnetic Energy, Washington Vista Hotel, Washington, DC. Contact: Electromagnetic Energy Association, 1255 Twenty-Third St., NW, Washington, DC 20037-1174 (Tel: 202-452-1070; Fax: 202-833-3636)

June 9-13: 10th Nordic-Baltic Conference on Biomedical Engineering, Ragnar Granit Institute, Tampere University of Technology, Tampere, Finland. Contact: Secretary of the 10th NBCBME, Ragnar Granit Institute, Tampere University of Technology, P.O. Box 692, FIN-33101 Tampere, Finland (Tel: +358 31 316 2524; Fax: +358 31 316 2162; E-mail: nbc@ee.tut.fi)

June 9-14: The 18th Annual Meeting of The Bioelectromagnetics Society (BEMS) , The Conference Centre, Victoria, Canada. Contact: BEMS, 7519 Ridge Road, Frederick, MD 21702-3519. (Tel: 301-663-4252; Fax: 301-371-8955; Email: 75230.1222@compuserve.com)

August 28-September 5: XXVth General Assembly of the International Union of Radio Science (URSI) , Commission K, Electromagnetics in Biology and Medicine [Chair: Prof. P. Bernardi (Italy), Vice Chair: Prof. J. C. Lin (USA)], Lille Grand Palais, Lille, France. Contact: Secretariat Pr. P. Degauque, Universite de Lille 1, F-59655 Villeneuve d'Ascq Cedex, France (Tel: +33 20-337206, Fax: +33 20-337207, Email: agursi@univ-lille1.fr)

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Contact Information

C. Jordan Evans, Editor

For Newsletter items, contact the Editor of the Newsletter. For other Society business, contact: The Bioelectromagnetics Society, 7519 Ridge Road, Frederick, MD 21702-3519. Tel. (301) 663-4252; Fax (301) 371-8955; E-mail 75230.1222@compuserve.com. 

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