Data on quantitative and qualitative analysis of test results have to be as detailed as possible and therefore comprehensible. This includes e.g. information about the number of test animals as well as cell preparations in cell experiments and the statistical method applied.

Assessment with view to health aspects

Based on currently available results, an assessment must be made as to what extent the knowledge gained is relevant for the health of human beings. Only coherent research results can serve as basis for comprehensive risk assessment and developing radiation protection measures.

In order to classify the scientific state of knowledge with a view to potential health risks the following categories have been suggested by the German Radiation Protection Commission: indication, suspicion and evidence.

A scientific indication exists when the research results of individual experiments indicate a connection between adverse health effects and the impact of electromagnetic fields. The results, however, cannot be reproduced by other research teams and are not supported by the overall scientific picture.

A scientifically justified suspicion concerning adverse health effects is assumed when the research results of several scientific experiments show that such a connection is reproducible, but the overall scientific picture does not support the existence of a causal connection. The extent of the scientific suspicion is based on the number and consistency of the scientific papers presented and, of course, primarily on their quality.

Scientific evidence for a connection between adverse health effects and exposure to electromagnetic fields exists when several independent research teams are able to reproduce this connection in scientific studies and the existence of a causal relationship is supported by the overall scientific picture.