Health affects of cell phones and power lines

NEW PALTZ — Beginning in 1979, reports began to appear indicating a possible link between exposure to electromagnetic fields, such as those produced by power lines, and various diseases. Reports since then also suggest that elevated health risks may result from exposure to radio frequency fields.

In both cases, no conclusive studies have been completed. Dr. David O. Carpenter, professor of environmental health and toxicology and director of the Institute for Health and the Environment at SUNY’s University at Albany, will discuss the need to conduct conclusive research on both issues at a lecture on Wednesday, Feb. 13 at the State University of New York at New Paltz.

Carpenter’s lecture is part of the School of Physical Sciences and Engineering Colloquium Series, which addresses a variety of scientific topics. Each lecture in the series is designed for a general scientific audience and features leading scientists.

Carpenter’s lecture is free and open to the public. It will be held in the Coykendall Science Building Auditorium, and begins with a reception at 4:30 p.m. The lecture will begin at 5 p.m.

The Colloquium Series will include two more lectures during the spring semester:

• Michael J. Novacek, provost of science at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, will give a lecture titled “Dinosaurs and Fossil Mammals of the Flaming Cliffs: The Gobi Expedition” on April 3.
• Telecommunications engineer Brian McConnell will give a lecture titled “Communicating with Extraterrestrial Civilizations” on April 29.

Additional information on any of the colloquiums in this series is available online at www.newpaltz.edu/pse, or by calling David Clark, chair of the colloquium committee, at (845) 257-3728.