RECOMMENDATIONS

Although available evidence indicates that electric fields do not present a serious hazard to human health or well being, DOE should continue supporting its research programs aimed at allaying public concern about the possible hazard. This program should and as indicated above in many cases does:

• Include repetition of experiments showing "effects," with careful attention to experimental design, including exposure conditions and field characterization. This will ensure that experiments meet adequate statistical critena and avoid results due to experimental artifacts.
• Include in the design of new experiments additional studies suggested by conclusions drawn from the earlier experiments (e.g., "stress").
• Include in the design of new experiments a systematic study of threshold intensities and the dependence of the magnitude of the effect on field strength.
• Consider in the experimental design, when proposed experiments involve human subjects, the variability of response among individuals, and the existence of the exceptionally sensitive or resistant individual.
• Prepare experimental designs that are useful for hazard determination as opposed to effect determination. Given the experimental uncertainties currently surrounding the effects research, it may be some time before such experiments are possible.
• Keep funding and review of the experiments independent to ensure credibility.
• Distribute research results widelv to encourage broad comprehension of significant results.
• Review the advisability of setting edge of right-of-way standards that make the electromagnetic fields equivalent to those present at the edge of the right-of-way of current systems.1

Careful repetition of controversial experiments would improve the credibility of the research data base. Such repetition, however, is likely to engender its own controversy, primarily because of the personalities of the many scientists involved. Scientists whose work is repeated may feel that their work has been "singled out."

Independent funding and review is clearly important in establishing the credibility of research results. DOE should therefore continue funding experiments, although review by an independent advisory body would enhance credibility.

Public interest in the environmental issues related to UHV transmission lines, particularly among groups actively involved in siting new facilities, warrants the broad distribution of new data and technical information. However, because this audience is primarily a lay one, the technical information arising from ongoing research must be readily understandable. Moreover, nontechnical reports should be easily available.

1 This recommendation is also discussed in R.S. Banks, et al., "Public Health and Safety Effects of High-Voltage Overhead Transmission Lines: An Analysis for the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board," Minnesota Department of Public Health (October 1977).

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