Electromagnetic Fields Research Program—Hon. George E. Brown, Jr. [Page: E4181]

Hon. George E. Brown, Jr. in the House of Representatives, Tuesday, November 26, 1991

Mr. BROWN. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing the national Electromagnetic Fields Research and Public Information Dissemination Act. This legislation is designed to authorize a program of research and public information on the human health effects of electromagnetic fields [EMF]. It is my hope that the research program being proposed in this bill will help us to identify the human health effects, if any, of EMF.

Public concern over EMF is growing. People living under electric power lines, people working in close proximity to equipment generating EMF radiation, and people using electric equipment and appliances are concerned about the potential health effects of these EMF exposures. Because of the heightened public concern, because of the considerable ambiguity in the available medical literature, because a number of Federal and State government agencies are involved, and because this issue cuts across several scientific and engineering disciplines, getting a handle on this area has been difficult. This legislation is designed to take a significant step forward toward answering the unresolved questions on EMF by establishing a comprehensive research program involving a partnership between the Federal Government, State governments, and the private sector.

This last point is critical and this legislation seeks to establish a partnership with non-Federal entities who are concerned about EMF radiation. The private sector, particularly the electric utility industry has for many years made a considerable investment in EMF research—on the order of $6 million per year. In addition, there is considerable interest and potential research funding in the electric equipment manufacturing sectors. These research efforts do not enjoy complete public confidence, because the affected industry is funding the research.