Objectives: This project is intended to explore the impact of Electromagnetic Field (EMF) on the environment. The contents of this project include：(1) collect and translate the EMF-related research articles；(2) conduct a survey on the public reception of EMF；(3) draft a precautionary EMF management plan. Methods: A comprehensive literature research was performed to identify all relevant peer-reviewed papers or articles. Articles were searched for in the online scientific database, such as the National Library of Medicine (PubMed) and the ISI Web of Knowledge. We also conducted a telephone interview survey about the public perception of EMF in Taiwan, which was conducted over two weeks during October 2008. Participants assessed both risks and benefits associated with six different sources of EMF. Trust in the authorities regulating these hazards was assessed as well. In addition, participants answered a set of questions related to attitudes toward EMF and toward mobile phone base stations. Besides, we held an international workshop in discussing the EMF health issues. We collected EMF reseach and management information, and drafted a precautionary EMF management plans for the Taiwan’s EPA. Results: The response rate of the telephone survey (N=2,035) was about 16.3%. There were nearly 90% of Taiwanese adults who own a mobile phone, and there were 23% of the participants who live near base stations. According to respondents’ assessments, high-voltage transmission lines (47.2%) were the most risky source of EMF, followed by mobile phone (42.2%). Mobile phones (55.9%) and wireless internet (50.6%) received relatively higher benefit ratings. Results showed that public trust in authority regulations was generally low, and participants claimed that the relevant information offered by the government was limited. Conclusions: The public perceptions of EMF in Taiwan are characterized by high benefit, high risk, and low trust in authorities. The government should take the public opinions into account during the initiation of the precautionary EMF management plan.

Electromagnetic Field, Risk Perception, Benefit, Trust, Precautionray Framework