From owner-emf-bio@net.bio.net Sat Aug 03 23:00:00 1996 Path: biosci!biosci!not-for-mail From: "Bernheim.Naomi" Newsgroups: bionet.emf-bio Subject: Biological Effects of Power Frequency EMF (RFA-ES-96-07) Date: 4 Aug 1996 12:39:06 -0700 Organization: BIOSCI International Newsgroups for Molecular Biology Lines: 397 Sender: daemon@net.bio.net Approved: afrey@uu.net Distribution: world Message-ID: <4u2u8q$3pf@net.bio.net> NNTP-Posting-Host: net.bio.net BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF POWER FREQUENCY EMF NIH Guide RFA: ES-96-007 National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Letter of Intent Receipt Date: August 2, 1996 Application Receipt Date: August 27, 1996 KEYWORDS Toxicology Electromagnetic Fields Environmental Agents PURPOSE The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) supports research to identify the role of environmental agents in perturbations of normal physiologic processes leading to human disease. In addition, the Energy Policy Act which was signed into law in October, 1992, authorized an accelerated five year Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) Research and Public Information Dissemination (RAPID) Program to be administered by the Department of Energy.. In this Act, NIEHS is designated as the lead agency for coordinating and conducting the health effects studies and communicating the results to policy makers and the general public on the possible adverse effects, if any, of EMF associated with the generation, transport and use of electricity. Thus, as part of the health mission of the NIEHS, studies of the biological effects of EMF have been specifically targeted. To accomplish the goals established in the 1992 Act, the NIEHS initiated a research program consisting of grants, contracts and cooperative agreements in 1994. In addition, recently reported preliminary studies suggest new directions for EMF research which may further contribute to the assessment of a possible EMF hazard. In order to explore fully these observations and to further strengthen the hazard assessment models, the NIEHS is announcing this small grant program. Research is specifically encouraged to identify possible causal connections between EMF exposure and biological effects which could be used in a hazard assessment model. Studies which provide data needed for the assessment of the potential carcinogenic, reproductive or neurologic effects of EMF exposure are considered a priority. However, other toxic effects also may be important to consider. The goal of this Small Grants Program (R03), Request for Applications (RFA) is to support studies which provide data needed for the hazard assessment of EMF. HEALTHY PEOPLE 2000 The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the health promotion and disease prevention objectives of "Healthy People 2000," a PHS-led national activity for setting priority areas. This RFA, BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF POWER FREQUENCY EMF, is related to the priority area of Environmental Health. Potential applicants may obtain a copy of "Healthy People 2000" (Full Report: Stock No. 017-001-00474-0) or "Healthy People 2000" (Summary Report: Stock No. 017-001-00473-1) through the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington DC 20402-9325 (telephone 202-783-3238). ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Applications may be submitted by domestic and foreign for-profit and nonprofit organizations, public and private, such as universities, colleges, hospitals, laboratories, units of state or local governments, and eligible agencies in the Federal government. Simultaneous submissions of both a small grant and a regular research grant (R01) application on the same topic will not be accepted. Racial/ethnic minority individuals, women and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. MECHANISM OF SUPPORT This RFA will use the NIH Small Grants Program (R03) awards. Responsibility for the planning, direction, and execution of the proposed project will be solely that of the applicant. The requested costs and project period will be $50,000 (direct cost) per year for a maximum of two years and a maximum of $100,000 direct costs. Small grants are not renewable but may be extended at no additional costs at the discretion of the applicant organization. FUNDS AVAILABLE The total estimated funds available for this small grants program is $2.25 million which will support approximately 15 to 30 awards. This level of support is dependent on the receipt of a sufficient number of applications of high scientific merit. Although this program is provided for within the financial plans of the NIEHS, awards pursuant to this RFA are contingent upon the transfer of funds for this purpose from the Department of Energy. This RFA will use the National Institutes of Health (NIH) individual research grant (R03 only). RESEARCH OBJECTIVES Background As a result of electrification of our homes and work places, people from all walks of life and of all ages are now exposed to power frequency (60 Hz) electric and magnetic fields. Increasingly, scientists, regulators and the public are asking whether exposure to these fields could involve risks to human health. Such questions are based in part on the results of epidemiology studies which indicate that exposure to power line frequency electric and magnetic fields (EMF) may increase risk for certain forms of cancer. In addition, studies have shown that certain types of EMF exposure can cause small variations in heart rate and reaction times in humans. There have also been some reports of individuals with unusual sensitivity when exposed to fields. Numerous experiments suggest alterations in cellular processes or in endocrine functions of whole animals. However, the biological significance of these studies is uncertain, and it is unclear whether these effects are predictors of adverse health effects in humans. Thus, additional research on the biological effects of EMF exposure at 60 Hz is needed. The goal of the EMF Research and Public Information Dissemination (RAPID) Program is the improvement of our understanding of the potential contribution, if any, of field exposure to the development of disease. To achieve this goal, it is imperative to have information on the effects of EMF on a wide variety of biological functions related to carcinogenic, reproductive, neurological or other health effects. Data are needed to foster the development of a mechanistically-based understanding of the relationship between EMF exposure and alteration in biological processes which could lead to human disease or dysfunction. This RFA is intended to support studies that provide further data needed for the hazard assessments of EMF exposure. It is anticipated that these studies will contribute to the data base necessary to establish the cause and effect relationship between EMF and changes in biological functions which could ultimately contribute to a disease or provide data that an effect does not exist. RESEARCH GOALS The focus of this RFA is the further development of data which could be used for the assessment of the carcinogenic, reproductive, neurological and other biological hazard of EMF. Thus, it is important that applications address possible gaps in data needed for hazard assessment complementing previously described biological effects of EMF. Studies that reduce the uncertainties about reported biological effects of EMF will also be considered. It is important that applicants describe how any biological finding can be directly related to human health risks. Research approaches which may identify novel biological effects should also assess the biological significance of such effects. However, projects which help reduce the uncertainty about human health hazards associated with exposure to EMF are a high priority. Applications which are simply a variation of current research will not be considered. The following list provides examples of areas of current research interest, but it is not intended to be complete. Proposals for work which is based upon analysis of extant data without further experimentation will be considered. Investigators are encouraged to study these or other topics. o Effects on cell signaling and membrane processes such as protein kinases, calcium flux, or gap junctions, o Effects on DNA stability, damage, adducts or demethylation, etc. o Quantification of exposure-related effects on cell cycle, differentiation and cell death; o Development of mechanistic or exposure models (quantitative or qualitative) which link cellular responses with morbidity and/or mortality in vivo for previously described health effects of EMF; o Effects of EMF exposure on the response of biological systems to polychlorinated or other environmentally persistent compounds that may be associated with power lines; o Development of risk assessment models for cancer, reproductive, neurologic or other potential EMF risks; o Studies of the potential biological effects for exposure conditions such as harmonics, transients or intermittency; o Evaluation of dose/effect relationships for EMF biological effects; o Postnatal consequences of EMF exposure in utero; o Effects on Oncogenes. EMF Exposure Conditions Funds provided in this RFA are not sufficient to purchase EMF exposure systems for the studies to be proposed. For investigators who do not already have carefully characterized exposure systems, NIEHS encourages arrangements for the use of existing EMF facilities maintained by NIEHS or DOE researchers. Regional EMF exposure facilities supported by DOE and NIEHS may also be available for use under cooperative agreements. Availability of appropriate facilities must be documented in the grant application. To assist applicants in the preparation of an application, information on the EMF research projects currently funded by NIEHS and DOE, the regional exposure facility sites, and the physical considerations for an EMF exposure system can be obtained from the NIEHS. Requests should be addressed to Dr. Michael Galvin at the address listed at the end of this announcement. LETTER OF INTENT Prospective applicants are asked to submit, by August 2, 1996, a letter of intent that includes a descriptive title of the proposed project, the name, address, and telephone number of the Principal Investigator, the identities of other key personnel and participating institutions, and the number and title of the RFA (BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF POWER FREQUENCY EMF). Although a letter of intent is not required, is not binding, and does not enter into the review of subsequent applications, the information that it contains is helpful in planning for the review of applications. It allows NIEHS staff to estimate the potential review workload and to avoid conflict of interest in the review. The letter of intent is to be sent by August 2, 1996 to: Dr. Michael J. Galvin, Jr. Organ and Systems Toxicology Branch Division of Extramural Research and Training National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences 104 T.W. Alexander Drive P.O. Box 12233 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 Telephone: (919) 541-7825 APPLICATION PROCEDURES The research grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 5/95) is to be used in applying for these grants. These forms are available at most institutional offices of sponsored research and may be obtained from the Office of Grants Information, Division of Research Grants, National Institutes of Health, 6701 Rockledge Drive, Room 3034, MSC 7762, Bethesda, MD 20892-7762, telephone 301/435-0714, E-MAIL: girg@drgpo.drg.nih.gov. The following supplemental instructions are provided: Only one small grant application may be submitted by a principal investigator. The Detailed Budget for the Initial Budget Period (Form Page 4-DD) and Budget for Entire Proposed Period of Support (Form Page 5 EE.) should be completed as instructed on Page 11 of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Public Health Service Grant Application (PHS 398). The project period for these awards is a maximum of two years. The maximum amount awarded to each grantee on this RFA will be $100,000 direct costs for a two year project period. The amount awarded for any given year (budget period) will not exceed $50,000 direct costs. Equipment will be limited to $10,000 direct costs for the project. Indirect costs will be awarded at the grantee's current negotiated indirect cost rate at the time of the award. Travel for the principal investigator to an EMF grantee meeting should be included in the budget. The Research Plan (Specific Aims, Background and Significance, Preliminary Studies, Research Design and Methods sections) is not to exceed Ten (10) pages. Tables and figures are included in the Ten (10) page limitation. Applications that exceed page limitations or PHS 398 requirements for font size (height or letters), type density (characters per inch), and margins (see PHS 398 directions) will be returned to the investigator. Do not submit an appendix. The RFA Label available in the PHS 398 (rev. 5/95) application form must be affixed to the bottom of the face page of the application. Failure to use this label could result in delayed processing of the application such that it may not reach the review committee in time for review. In addition, the RFA title and number must be typed on Line 2 of the face page of the application form and the YES box must be marked. Submit a signed, typewritten original of the application, including the checklist, and three signed, clear, and single sided photocopies in one package to: DIVISION OF RESEARCH GRANTS NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH 6701 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE, ROOM 1040 - MSC 7710 BETHESDA, MD 20892-7710 BETHESDA, MD 20817 (for express/courier service) At the time of submission, two additional copies of the application must be sent to Dr. Ethel Jackson, Chief, Scientific Review Branch (see address below). If these two additional copies are not forwarded to Dr. Jackson, it will adversely affect the review of the grant application: Ethel Jackson, D.D.S. Chief, Scientific Review Branch Division of Extramural Research and Training National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences P.O. Box 12233, MD 17-09 104 T.W. Alexander Drive Building 17, Room 1717 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 Telephone: (919) 541-7846 FAX: (919) 541-2503 E-MAIL: jackson4@niehs.nih.gov Applications must be received by August 27,1996. If an application is received after that date, it will be returned to the applicant without review. RESPONSIVENESS OF APPLICATIONS TO RFA Upon receipt, all applications will undergo an administrative review by senior scientific staff of the NIEHS for their responsiveness to the RFA. Only those applications considered to be responsive to the RFA will be forwarded for peer review. Applications considered non-responsive to the RFA will be inactivated and returned to the application without further consideration. REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS Those applications which are complete and responsive may be subjected to triage to determine their scientific merit relative to other applications received in response to this RFA. The NIH/NIEHS will administratively withdraw from competition those applications judged to be noncompetitive and so notify the applicant and institutional official. Those applications judged to be competitive will undergo further scientific merit review. These applications will be evaluated in accordance with the criteria stated in the RFA for scientific/technical merit by an appropriate peer review group convened by NIH. Review criteria for RFAs are generally the same as those for unsolicited research grant applications. o Availability of resources necessary to perform project objectives. o Appropriateness of the proposed budget and duration in relation to proposed objectives. o Strength of institutional commitment as evidenced by provision of appropriate resources, services, technical support, and allocation of space. o The approach of the investigator to assess not only the biological effects of the 60 Hz fields but also the significance, if any, to human health risk. o Experimental approaches to determining the biological significance of any findings. AWARD CRITERIA The anticipated date of award is February 1, 1997. The following will be considered in making funding decisions: o Relevance to the hazard (toxicity) assessment of EMF, o quality of the proposed project as determined by peer review, o availability of funds, o program balance and relevance to mission of NIEHS. Projects which address aspects of EMF directly related to the hazard assessment of previously identified health effect such as carcinogenesis, reproductive toxicity or neurological effects will be assigned a higher award priority. INQUIRIES Written and telephone inquiries concerning this RFA are encouraged. The opportunity to clarify any issues or questions from potential applicants is welcome. Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues to: Michael J. Galvin, Ph.D. Organs and Systems Toxicology Branch Division of Extramural Research and Training National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences P.O. Box 12233, MD 3-02 104 T.W. Alexander Drive Building 3, Room 316 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 Telephone: (919) 541-7825 FAX: (919) 541-2843 E-MAIL: Galvin@niehs.nih.gov Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to: Mr. David L. Mineo Chief, Grants Management Branch Division of Extramural Research and Training National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences P.O. Box 12233, MD 2-01 104 T.W. Alexander Drive Building 2, Room 203B Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 Telephone: (919) 541-7628 FAX: (919) 541-2860 E-MAIL: mineo@niehs.nih.gov AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No. 93.113 and 93.115. Awards are made under authorization of the Public Health Service Act, Title IV, Part A (Public Law 78-410, as amended by Public Law 99-158, 43 USC 241 and 285) and administered under PHS grants policies and Federal Regulations 42 CFR 52 and 45 CFR Part 74. This program is not subject to the intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 12372 or Health Systems Agency review. The Public Health Service (PHS) strongly encourages all grant and contract recipients to provide a smoke-free workplace and promote the non-use of all tobacco products. In addition, Public Law 103-227, the Pro Children Act of 1994, prohibits smoking in certain facilities (or in some cases, any portion of a facility) in which regular or routine education, library, day care, health care or early childhood development services are provided to children. This is consistent with the PHS mission to protect and advance the physical and mental health of the American people. From owner-emf-bio@net.bio.net Sat Aug 03 23:00:00 1996 Path: biosci!biosci!not-for-mail From: bkobb@netcom.com (Bennett Kobb) Newsgroups: bionet.emf-bio Subject: FCC Bio Rules Date: 4 Aug 1996 12:46:50 -0700 Organization: New Signals Press Inc. Lines: 14 Sender: daemon@net.bio.net Approved: afrey@uu.net Distribution: world Message-ID: <4u2una$49n@net.bio.net> NNTP-Posting-Host: net.bio.net The U.S. Federal Communications Commission has released its Guidelines for Evaluating the Environmental Effects of Radiofrequency Radiation. This 100+ page document explains why and how the FCC adopted its new regulations that govern RF emissions that may have biological effects. The document type is Report and Order; the Docket number is ET 93-62, the FCC number is 96-326 and the release date is August 1, 1996. The document should eventually be available on the FCC WWW site, www.fcc.gov, in the Office of Engineering and Technology section. Bennett Kobb SpectrumGuide/America's Airwaves http://home.navisoft.com/nspi From owner-emf-bio@net.bio.net Sun Aug 11 23:00:00 1996 Path: biosci!biosci!not-for-mail From: jmoulder@post.its.mcw.edu (John Moulder) Newsgroups: bionet.emf-bio Subject: Re: FCC Bio Rules Date: 12 Aug 1996 13:00:14 -0700 Organization: Medical College of Wisconsin Lines: 21 Sender: daemon@net.bio.net Approved: afrey@uu.net Distribution: world Message-ID: <4uo2ge$sfa@net.bio.net> References: <4u2una$49n@net.bio.net> Reply-To: jmoulder@post.its.mcw.edu (John Moulder) NNTP-Posting-Host: net.bio.net In article <4u2una$49n@net.bio.net>, bkobb@netcom.com (Bennett Kobb) writes: > The U.S. Federal Communications Commission has released its Guidelines > for Evaluating the Environmental Effects of Radiofrequency Radiation. ..... > The document should eventually be available on the FCC WWW > site, www.fcc.gov, in the Office of Engineering and Technology section. It can be found at: http://www.fcc.gov/oet/headline/fcc96326.html The above gets you an intro page with directions on how to download the entire document. Warning: Don't try to download the document itself over anything but a very fast link, because it is huge. John Moulder (jmoulder@its.mcw.edu) From owner-emf-bio@net.bio.net Sat Aug 17 23:00:00 1996 Path: biosci!biosci!not-for-mail From: I_should_put_my_domain_in_etc_NNTP_INEWS_DOMAIN!jfj@UU.NET (John F. Jarvis Newsgroups: bionet.emf-bio Subject: Survey Article Date: 18 Aug 1996 11:09:27 -0700 Organization: University of South Carolina at Aiken Lines: 17 Sender: daemon@net.bio.net Approved: afrey@uu.net Distribution: world Message-ID: <4v7m8n$si9@net.bio.net> Reply-To: pacer1.usca.scarolina.edu@CS.Sc.EDU NNTP-Posting-Host: net.bio.net Resource Letter BELFEF-1: Biological Effects of Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields, David Hafemeister, American Journal of Physics 64(8), August 1996, pp 974-981 Compact survey of literature and subjects relavent to topic given as title. The 112 cited sources cover much of the science, epidemiology and economic implications of the field. The American Jounal of Physics is a publication of the American Association of Physics Teachers. -- John Jarvis jfj@pacer1.usca.scarolina.edu SNAIL Dept. of Mathematical Sciences, University of SC 171 University Parkway, Aiken, SC 29801 PHONE Bus: (803) 648 6851 x3264 Home: (706) 737-8858 From owner-emf-bio@net.bio.net Fri Aug 23 23:00:00 1996 Path: biosci!biosci!not-for-mail From: "Mueller Christopher H." Newsgroups: bionet.emf-bio Subject: Electric-field meter Date: 23 Aug 1996 18:08:07 -0700 Organization: Institut fr Hygiene und Arbeitsphysiologie Lines: 35 Sender: daemon@net.bio.net Approved: afrey@uu.net Distribution: world Message-ID: <4vlkln$que@net.bio.net> NNTP-Posting-Host: net.bio.net Dear collegues, I am evaluating different types of electric-field meters. I have difficulties in believing the accuracy of electric-field measurements using the condensator-principle. Questions: 1. Who has measured electric fields using the EFA-3 (Wandel&Goltermann) combined E- and B-field meter and what is the conclusion? 2. Are there any publications about calibration and field tests of electric field meters, e.g. EFA-3 (Wandel&Goltermann), EMM-4 (Radians)? 3. In principle: is it possible to measure inhomogenous fields with a 3D probe without distortion of the E-field by the condensators? Can there be a direct measurement/true-field reading or are the results artificial (based on calibration-results)? 4. Are there other field meters (isotropic) that are frequently used? Thanks a lot! ------------------------------------------------------- Christopher M=FCller, Dipl.Natw.ETH =20 Institut fuer Hygiene und Arbeitsphysiologie =20 Clausiusstr. 25 NW F83 / ETH / 8092 Zuerich / Switzerland =20 mueller@iha.bepr.ethz.ch=20 Tel: ++41 1 632 61 70 Fax: ++41 1 632 11 73 http://www.iha.bepr.ethz.ch ------------------------------------------------------