Gaps in Knowledge Relevant to the "ICNIRP Guidelines for Limiting Exposure to Time-Varying Electric,

Abstract

Gaps in Knowledge Relevant to the "ICNIRP Guidelines for Limiting Exposure to Time-Varying Electric, Magnetic and Electromagnetic Fields (100 kHz TO 300 GHz)" International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). Gaps in Knowledge Relevant to the "ICNIRP Guidelines for Limiting Exposure to Time-Varying Electric, Magnetic and Electromagnetic Fields (100 kHz TO 300 GHz)". Health Phys. 2025 Feb 1;128(2):190-202. doi: 10.1097/HP.0000000000001944. Abstract In the last 30 y, observational as well as experimental studies have addressed possible health effects of exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (EMF) and investigated potential interaction mechanisms. The main goal of ICNIRP is to protect people and the environment from detrimental exposure to all forms of non-ionizing radiation (NIR), providing advice and guidance by developing and disseminating exposure guidelines based on the available scientific research on specific parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. During the development of International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection's (ICNIRP's) 2020 radiofrequency EMF guidelines some gaps in the available data were identified. To encourage further research into knowledge gaps in research that would, if addressed, assist ICNIRP in further developing guidelines and setting revised recommendations on limiting exposure, data gaps that were identified during the development of the 2020 radiofrequency EMF guidelines, in conjunction with subsequent consideration of the literature, are described in this Statement. Note that this process and resultant recommendations were not intended to duplicate more traditional research agendas, whose focus is on extending knowledge in this area more generally but was tightly focused on identifying the highest data gap priorities for guidelines development more specifically. The result of this distinction is that the present data gap recommendations do not include some gaps in the literature that in principle could be relevant to radiofrequency EMF health, but which were excluded because either the link between exposure and endpoint, or the link between endpoint and health, was not supported sufficiently by the literature. The evaluation of these research areas identified the following data gaps: (1) Issues concerning relations between radiofrequency EMF exposure and heat-induced pain; (2) Clarification of the relation between whole-body exposure and core temperature rise from 100 kHz to 300 GHz, as a function of exposure duration and combined EMF exposures; (3) Adverse effect thresholds and thermal dosimetry for a range of ocular structures; (4) Pain thresholds for contact currents under a range of exposure scenarios, including associated dosimetry; and (5) A range of additional dosimetry studies to both support future research, and also to improve the application of radiofrequency EMF exposure restrictions in future guidelines. Open access paper:journals.lww.com physics/fulltext/2025/02000/gaps_in_knowledge_relevant_to_the__icnirp.8.aspx

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

This ICNIRP statement describes prioritized data gaps identified during development of the 2020 ICNIRP radiofrequency EMF guidelines and subsequent literature consideration. The listed gaps focus on relationships between RF EMF exposure and heat-induced pain, whole-body exposure and core temperature rise (100 kHz to 300 GHz) as a function of duration and combined exposures, ocular thermal dosimetry and adverse effect thresholds, contact current pain thresholds and dosimetry, and additional dosimetry studies to support research and improve guideline application.

Outcomes measured

• heat-induced pain
• core temperature rise (whole-body exposure)
• adverse effect thresholds and thermal dosimetry for ocular structures
• pain thresholds for contact currents
• dosimetry studies to support research and guideline application

Limitations

• Not a primary empirical study; focuses on identifying research/data gaps for guideline development rather than estimating health effects.
• Some potential gaps were excluded because links between exposure and endpoint or endpoint and health were not considered sufficiently supported by the literature (per statement).

Suggested hubs

• who-icnirp (0.95)
  ICNIRP statement focused on gaps relevant to ICNIRP RF EMF exposure guidelines.

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    "outcomes": [
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        "adverse effect thresholds and thermal dosimetry for ocular structures",
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    "main_findings": "This ICNIRP statement describes prioritized data gaps identified during development of the 2020 ICNIRP radiofrequency EMF guidelines and subsequent literature consideration. The listed gaps focus on relationships between RF EMF exposure and heat-induced pain, whole-body exposure and core temperature rise (100 kHz to 300 GHz) as a function of duration and combined exposures, ocular thermal dosimetry and adverse effect thresholds, contact current pain thresholds and dosimetry, and additional dosimetry studies to support research and improve guideline application.",
    "effect_direction": "unclear",
    "limitations": [
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        "Some potential gaps were excluded because links between exposure and endpoint or endpoint and health were not considered sufficiently supported by the literature (per statement)."
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
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    "keywords": [
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        "EMF",
        "non-ionizing radiation",
        "100 kHz to 300 GHz",
        "dosimetry",
        "thermal effects",
        "core temperature",
        "ocular exposure",
        "contact currents",
        "pain thresholds",
        "research gaps"
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