Problematic of non-ionizing radiation

Today a series of problematic issues have ben raised on the biological effects of non-ionizing radiation (NIR); specially that in the low frequency range. As a consequence, the international Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRO) was recently created by the IRPA. This article summarizes the arguments justifying such a decision, which rests on the results of a number of epidemiological as well as experimental studies. At present, it is widely accepted that NIR can induce biological responses under particular conditions. The data have to be seriously considered, in spite of the fact that the present lack of an unified theory on the biological interactions of low frequency NIR leads to a controversy on the putative health effects caused by the exposure to these fields. In the present situation, the need of a substantial effort to deepen the research in this area becomes obvious, due to the fact that the increasing use of NIR is necessary for a proper technological development, and because of the rapidly expanding therapeutical and diagnostic applications of NIR. 59 refs