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Health Risks Associated With Residential Exposure to Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Radiation By Roland J. Lamarine, HSD and Richard A. Narad, DPA Abstract Extremely low frequency electromagnetic radiation has received considerable attention recently as a possible threat to the health of persons living near high tension electric power lines, distribution substations, and even in close proximity to common household electric appliances. Results of epidemiological and laboratory research are examined to assess risks associated with magnetic fields generated by extremely low frequency electromagnetic sources. Health risks associated with such fields include a wide variety of ills ranging from disruption of normal circadian rhythms to childhood cancers. Risk assessment has been particularly difficult to deter-mine in light of an ostensible lack of a dose-response relationship. Current media sensation fueled in part by an equivocal position adopted by the United States Environmental Protection Agency has contributed to the controversy. Recommendations for prudent avoidance of possible dangers are presented along with policy implications concerning health risks associated with magnetic fields. Introduction Since the advent of man made X-rays and nuclear power, evidence has been accumulating concerning the health risks associated with ionizing radiation.(1) Beginning in the 1970s, medical literature, and to a much greater extent, popular literature, have focused attention on a potential new health hazard associated with a different type of radiation, extremely low frequency electromagnetic radiation. The electromagnetic spectrum includes forms of energy ranging from cosmic rays and X-rays on the high frequency side to microwaves and electricity on the low frequency end.(2) Hertz (Hz) is the term commonly used to describe frequency or the number of times per second that electromagnetic waves alternate. Extremely high frequency radiation such as X-rays and gamma ray