Nanotechnology is regarded as a key technology of the 21st century, and national funding programs command substantial support. However, recent experience with nuclear power and biotechnology has shown that modern technologies are not necessarily very popular. Rather, they can give rise to controversies over negative effects on health and the environment. Therefore, it is important to look the societal embedding, and the potential to trigger controversies, of new key technologies at an early point in time. In several countries, investigations into aspects of risk, societal and ethical issues have been conducted; the European Commission, too, explicitly called for "the incorporation of the societal dimension". So far, Austria has seen few such efforts; this short project, as a first step, aimed at summarising the European discussion on risk and the societal aspects of nanotechnology.
This study has been commissioned by BMVIT. Practically at the same time, the study NanoGesund – Gesundheitsrisiken der Nanotechnologie [health risks of nano technology], financed by BMWA and Zukunftsfonds Steiermark, has been carried out by NANONET Styria under the direction of Dr. Sinner (Joanneum Research). For both projects, NanoGesund and our project, common recommendations have been drafted. Some of the recommendations were put into practice in a new ITA project from autumn 2007 onwards.
The Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR) has updated the previous opinion on ”Possible effects of Electromagnetic Fields (EMF), Radio Frequency Fields (RF) and Microwave Radiation on human health” by the Scientific Committee on Toxicity, Ecotoxicity and the Environment (CSTEE) from 2001, with respect to whether or not exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) is a cause of disease or other health effects. The opinion is primarily based on scientific articles, published in English language peer-reviewed scientific journals. Only studies that are considered relevant for the task are cited and commented upon in the opinion. The opinion is divided into frequency (f) bands, namely: radio frequency (RF) (100 kHz < f ≤ 300 GHz), intermediate frequency (IF) (300 Hz < f ≤ 100 kHz), extremely low frequency (ELF) (0< f ≤ 300 Hz), and static (0 Hz) (only static magnetic fields are considered in this opinion). There is a separate section for environmental effects.
Radio Frequency Fields (RF fields)
Since the adoption of the 2001 opinion extensive research has been conducted regarding possible health effects of exposure to low intensity RF fields, including epidemiologic, in vivo, and in vitro research. In conclusion, no health effect has been consistently demonstrated at exposure levels below the limits of ICNIRP (International Committee on Non Ionising Radiation Protection) established in 1998. However, the data base for evaluation remains limited especially for long-term low-level exposure.
Intermediate Frequency Fields (IF fields)
Experimental and epidemiological data from the IF range are very sparse. Therefore, assessment of acute health risks in the IF range is currently based on known hazards at lower frequencies and higher frequencies. Proper evaluation and assessment of possible health effects from long-term exposure to IF fields are important because human exposure to such fields is increasing
01/2006 - 05/2006