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The introduction of new EMF equipment and the effects on people’s perception of and worries about the health risks of EMF in relation to their well-being and health.

Projectomschrijving

In Amsterdam start in 2011 een vierjarige studie naar de omgang van mensen met verschillende bronnen van elektromagnetische velden (EMV). De wetenschappers onderzoeken hoe omwonenden van een nieuw geplaatste hoogspanningslijn of zendmast tegen de mogelijke gezondheidsrisico’s aankijken en welke invloed dat op hun welzijn heeft.

Producten

Titel: Under high tension; Health responses to the introduction of new high-voltage power lines
Auteur: Porsius, J.T.
Link: http://hdl.handle.net/1871/54139
Titel: Symptom reporting after the introduction of a new high-voltage power line: A prospective field study
Auteur: Porsius, Jarry T., Claassen, Liesbeth, Smid, Tjabe, Woudenberg, Fred, Petrie, Keith J., Timmermans, Danielle R.M.
Magazine: Environmental Research
Titel: Psychosocial effects of new power lines: design of a longitudinal field study
Titel: “They give you lots of information, but ignore what it's really about”: residents' experiences with the planned introduction of a new high-voltage power line
Auteur: Porsius, Jarry T., Claassen, Liesbeth, Weijland, Patricia E., Timmermans, Danielle R.M.
Magazine: Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Titel: Somatic symptom reports in the general population: Application of a bi-factor model to the analysis of change
Auteur: Porsius, Jarry T., Martens, Astrid L., Slottje, Pauline, Claassen, Liesbeth, Korevaar, Joke C., Timmermans, Danielle R.M., Vermeulen, Roel, Smid, Tjabe
Magazine: Journal of Psychosomatic Research
Titel: “These power lines make me ill”: design and preliminary data of a quasi-experimental longitudinal field study
Titel: Health responses to a new high-voltage power line route: design of a quasi-experimental prospective field study in the Netherlands
Auteur: Jarry T Porsius, Liesbeth Claassen, Tjabe Smid, Fred Woudenberg and Danielle RM Timmermans
Magazine: BMC Public Health
Titel: Nocebo responses to high-voltage power lines: Evidence from a prospective field study
Auteur: Porsius, Jarry T., Claassen, Liesbeth, Woudenberg, Fred, Smid, Tjabe, Timmermans, Danielle R.M.
Magazine: Science of the Total Environment

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Samenvatting van de aanvraag

In the near future new power lines and base stations are being build in several parts of the Netherlands because of the increased demands for energy and wireless communication. Despite or due to the lack of evidence people remain uncertain and concerned about the health risks of EMF. People’s concerns are evident when new EMF equipment is being introduced such as new base stations or new power lines. Perceptions of the public about the health risks of EMF technologies are often discrepant with the risks as assessed by experts. Psychological as well as social processes are involved in this different appreciation of the hazard of EMF technologies. Worries and concerns over modern technology and environmental hazards appear to influence symptom reporting and perceptions of current health. Higher levels of concern are associated with higher levels of symptom reporting and health complaints as well as lower levels of self rated health. As the introduction of new technologies has often been accompanied by an increase in complaints and symptoms, it can be expected that the building of new base stations or new power lines will be accompanied by more health concerns and eventually complaints. This will in particular happen when it is accompanied by more media attention. While the majority of people do not see EMF as a serious health hazard, it is likely that individual differences may mediate the perceptions and concerns about EMF health risks. As new EMF equipment will continue to be installed due to technological developments and increased demands for energy and wireless communication, people’s concerns and worries with these technologies will likely continue as well as the controversies regarding the placement of this equipment. It is therefore important to better understand the processes involved in the relation between the introduction of new technological equipment, the communication about potential health risks (including media coverage), people’s concerns and health complaints. In the proposed study we aim to assess changes in the public’s perception of health risks of EMF and the association with health concerns and somatic complaints. The aim of the project is to study people’s perception of the risks of EMF technologies and their concerns and how these perceptions and concerns affect their well-being. We will do so in a prospective descriptive study in which we will study people’s perception and concerns of EMF health risks and their complaints before, during and after the introduction of new EMF equipment. As the information provided by authorities as well as the media coverage will likely influence people’s perceptions, we will also analyze the information from health authorities and media. Besides using questionnaires, we will also assess the public’s reactions by attending public meetings and interviewing a subset of concerned citizens.

Onderwerpen

Kenmerken

Projectnummer:
85600006
Looptijd: 100%
Looptijd: 100 %
2011
2016
Onderdeel van programma:
Gerelateerde subsidieronde:
Projectleider en penvoerder:
Prof. dr. D.R.M. Timmermans
Verantwoordelijke organisatie:
Amsterdam UMC - locatie VUmc