Perception of risks from electromagnetic fields: lessons for the future

Technologies based on extremely highfrequency electromagnetic fields, inparticular in the terahertz region, arequite recent and new to the public. While anumber of advantages have been shown,especially in the biomedical area,biological effects and possible healthimplications have not been fullyinvestigated. The experience gained withelectromagnetic fields of lowerfrequencies, from ELF to microwaves,suggests that innovating technologies maycreate concern, or even fear, among thepublic for hypothetical health risks.Social research has shown that worries arerelated to the perception of risks by thepublic more than to their actual existence.Risk perception depends on several factors,many of which are relevant forelectromagnetic fields. They include lackof familiarity with the agent, difficultyin understanding interaction mechanisms,and uncertainty in scientific knowledge.Lessons learnt from the past lead torecommend that specific research onbiological effects of terahertz radiationbe started from the very beginning of thedevelopment of technological applicationsand that a continuous and effectivedialogue be established between thescientific community and the public.