Myles Capstick represented IT’IS at the GERoNiMO (Generalised EMF Research using Novel Methods) project kickoff meeting, convened at the Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), an ISGlobal research center, in Barcelona, Spain, 16 – 17th January 2014.
GERoNiMO, a 5 year project funded by the European Union and coordinated by Prof. Elisabeth Cardis, head of the Radiation Programme at CREAL, is a collaboration of 19 institutions representing 13 countries. The consortium brings together researchers from divergent disciplines – biology, engineering, physics, epidemiology, public health, radiation protection, and risk assessment and communication – to address key questions related to possible health effects resulting from increased exposure of the European population to electromagnetic fields (EMF).
The IT’IS contribution to the project is to provide dosimetry with a number of full anatomical numerical phantoms for improved evaluations of cumulative and integrated radio- and intermediate frequency EMF exposures. The integrated and complementary approaches applied in the GERoNiMO project should significantly improve the strength, coherence, credibility, and coordination of European research on exposures risks related to cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, behaviour, reproductive outcomes, and aging towards a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying EMF health effects. Better characterisation of current and future levels of EMF exposure in Europe will support national and international regulatory bodies responsible for articulation of public health policy with informed assessment of EMF-related health risks for development of sensible strategies to reduce exposure.