Electromagnetic Fields: Federal Efforts to Determine Health Effects Are
Behind Schedule (Chapter Report, 06/21/94, GAO/RCED-94-115).

Much needed federal research on the health consequences of exposure to
electromagnetic fields emitted from power lines lags behind schedule,
and a final report to be delivered to Congress by March 1997 will likely
be based on limited information. Most federal power lines are found in
rural areas, where the risk of public exposure to electromagnetic fields
is lower. Sources other than power lines, such as home appliances and
office equipment, are more common sources of exposure to electromagnetic
fields. Lacking conclusive scientific evidence on the health effects of
such exposure, states and utilities have responded cautiously to the
public's concerns and have taken relatively inexpensive and convenient
measures to reduce public exposures, such as restricting public uses of
power line rights-of-way. Future actions will be driven largely by the
results of scientific research. The Energy Department (DOE) and other
agencies have missed milestones for implementing a national research
program on electromagnetic fields. DOE officials blame the delay on
competing priorities during the 1992-93 presidential transition.

--------------------------- Indexing Terms -----------------------------

 REPORTNUM:  RCED-94-115
     TITLE:  Electromagnetic Fields: Federal Efforts to Determine Health 
             Effects Are Behind Schedule
      DATE:  06/21/94
   SUBJECT:  Electric power transmission
             Electric utilities
             Health hazards
             Cancer
             Safety
             Public health research
             Environmental research
             Scientific research
             State-administered programs
             Energy industry

             
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