Speaker
Description
Electromagnetic fields (EMF) occur naturally (e.g., geomagnetic field) but have significantly increased due to technologies like electricity, wireless communications, and medical applications. Today, people are widely exposed to EMF from sources such as power lines, appliances, broadcasting facilities, mobile phones, and Wi-Fi, raising concerns about potential health effects.
The European Commission conducted EMF risk perception surveys in 2006 and 2010. With advancements, diversification and penetration in EMF technology, it is crucial to reassess public risk perception of EMF health effects and develop effective risk communication methods, either globally or tailored to specific countries. In 2023, Japan, Germany, and Poland established a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen partnerships for improving EMF risk communication and disseminating scientifically sound information. With a common questionnaire, surveys based on this MoU were conducted in the three countries in 2024. The survey content was divided into "common survey items" and "country-specific survey items." The common survey items included risk perception of EMF sources, understanding of the health effects of EMF exposure, trust in sources of risk information related to EMF, preferred sources of EMF-related information, and risk perception of other environmental factors beyond EMF. The survey was conducted by categorizing respondents by gender and age groups, with over 1,000 participants in each country. Regarding the survey methods, Japan used an internet-based approach, while Germany and Poland adopted the CATI (Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing) methodology. Each country will present their results independently, yet it is preferable to cluster the presentations or posters.
