What are electromagnetic fields?

What happens when you are exposed to electromagnetic fields?

Exposure to electromagnetic fields is not a new phenomenon. However, during the 20th century, environmental exposure to man-made electromagnetic fields has been steadily increasing as growing electricity demand, ever-advancing technologies and changes in social behaviour have created more and more artificial sources. Everyone is exposed to a complex mix of weak electric and magnetic fields, both at home and at work, from the generation and transmission of electricity, domestic appliances and industrial equipment, to telecommunications and broadcasting.
Tiny electrical currents exist in the human body due to the chemical reactions that occur as part of the normal bodily functions, even in the absence of external electric fields. For example, nerves relay signals by transmitting electric impulses. Most biochemical reactions from digestion to brain activities go along with the rearrangement of charged particles. Even the heart is electrically active - an activity that your doctor can trace with the help of an electrocardiogram.

Low-frequency electric fields influence the human body just as they influence any other material made up of charged particles. When electric fields act on conductive materials, they influence the distribution of electric charges at their surface. They cause current to flow through the body to the ground.
Low-frequency magnetic fields induce circulating currents within the human body. The strength of these currents depends on the intensity of the outside magnetic field. If sufficiently large, these currents could cause stimulation of nerves and muscles or affect other biological processes.
Both electric and magnetic fields induce voltages and currents in the body but even directly beneath a high voltage transmission line, the induced currents are very small compared to thresholds for producing shock and other electrical effects.

Heating is the main biological effect of the electromagnetic fields of radiofrequency fields. In microwave ovens this fact is employed to warm up food. The levels of radiofrequency fields to which people are normally exposed are very much lower than those needed to produce significant heating. The heating effect of radiowaves forms the underlying basis for current guidelines. Scientists are also investigating the possibility that effects below the threshold level for body heating occur as a result of long-term exposure. To date, no adverse health effects from low level, long-term exposure to radiofrequency or power frequency fields have been confirmed, but scientists are actively continuing to research this area.

Biological effects or health effects? What is a health hazard?

Biological effects are measurable responses to a stimulus or to a change in the environment. These changes are not necessarily harmful to your health. For example, listening to music, reading a book, eating an apple or playing tennis will produce a range of biological effects. Nevertheless, none of these activities is expected to cause health effects. The body has sophisticated mechanisms to adjust to the many and varied influences we encounter in our environment. Ongoing change forms a normal part of our lives. But, of course, the body does not possess adequate compensation mechanisms for all biological effects. Changes that are irreversible and stress the system for long periods of time may constitute a health hazard.
An adverse health effect causes detectable impairment of the health of the exposed individual or of his or her offspring; a biological effect, on the other hand, may or may not result in an adverse health effect.
It is not disputed that electromagnetic fields above certain levels can trigger biological effects. Experiments with healthy volunteers indicate that short-term exposure at the levels present in the environment or in the home do not cause any apparent detrimental effects. Exposures to higher levels that might be harmful are restricted by national and international guidelines. The current debate is centred on whether long-term low level exposure can evoke biological responses and influence people's well being.

Widespread concerns for health

A look at the news headlines of recent years allows some insight into the various areas of public concern. Over the course of the past decade, numerous electromagnetic field sources have become the focus of health concerns, including power lines, microwave ovens, computer and TV screens, security devices, radars and most recently mobile phones and their base stations.

The International EMF Project

In response to growing public health concerns over possible health effects from exposure to an ever increasing number and diversity of electromagnetic field sources, in 1996 the World Health Organization (WHO) launched a large, multidisciplinary research effort. The International EMF Project brings together current knowledge and available resources of key international and national agencies and scientific institutions.
Conclusions from scientific research
In the area of biological effects and medical applications of non-ionizing radiation approximately 25,000 articles have been published over the past 30 years. Despite the feeling of some people that more research needs to be done, scientific knowledge in this area is now more extensive than for most chemicals. Based on a recent in-depth review of the scientific literature, the WHO concluded that current evidence does not confirm the existence of any health consequences from exposure to low level electromagnetic fields. However, some gaps in knowledge about biological effects exist and need further research.
Effects on general health
Some members of the public have attributed a diffuse collection of symptoms to low levels of exposure to electromagnetic fields at home. Reported symptoms include headaches, anxiety, suicide and depression, nausea, fatigue and loss of libido. To date, scientific evidence does not support a link between these symptoms and exposure to electromagnetic fields. At least some of these health problems may be caused by noise or other factors in the environment, or by anxiety related to the presence of new technologies.
Effects on pregnancy outcome
Many different sources and exposures to electromagnetic fields in the living and working environment, including computer screens, water beds and electric blankets, radiofrequency welding machines, diathermy equipment and radar, have been evaluated by the WHO and other organizations. The overall weight of evidence shows that exposure to fields at typical environmental levels does not increase the risk of any adverse outcome such as spontaneous abortions, malformations, low birth weight, and congenital diseases. There have been occasional reports of associations between health problems and presumed exposure to electromagnetic fields, such as reports of prematurity and low birth weight in children of workers in the electronics industry, but these have not been regarded by the scientific community as being necessarily caused by the field exposures (as opposed to factors such as exposure to solvents).
Cataracts
General eye irritation and cataracts have sometimes been reported in workers exposed to high levels of radiofrequency and microwave radiation, but animal studies do not support the idea that such forms of eye damage can be produced at levels that are not thermally hazardous. There is no evidence that these effects occur at levels experienced by the general public.
Electromagnetic fields and cancer
Despite many studies, the evidence for any effect remains highly controversial. However, it is clear that if electromagnetic fields do have an effect on cancer, then any increase in risk will be extremely small. The results to date contain many inconsistencies, but no large increases in risk have been found for any cancer in children or adults.
A number of epidemiological studies suggest small increases in risk of childhood leukemia with exposure to low frequency magnetic fields in the home. However, scientists have not generally concluded that these results indicate a cause-effect relation between exposure to the fields and disease (as opposed to artifacts in the study or effects unrelated to field exposure). In part, this conclusion has been reached because animal and laboratory studies fail to demonstrate any reproducible effects that are consistent with the hypothesis that fields cause or promote cancer. Large-scale studies are currently underway in several countries and may help resolve these issues.
Electromagnetic hypersensitivity and depression
Some individuals report "hypersensitivity" to electric or magnetic fields. They ask whether aches and pains, headaches, depression, lethargy, sleeping disorders, and even convulsions and epileptic seizures could be associated with electromagnetic field exposure.
There is little scientific evidence to support the idea of electromagnetic hypersensitivity. Recent Scandinavian studies found that individuals do not show consistent reactions under properly controlled conditions of electromagnetic field exposure. Nor is there any accepted biological mechanism to explain hypersensitivity. Research on this subject is difficult because many other subjective responses may be involved, apart from direct effects of fields themselves. More studies are continuing on the subject.
The focus of current and future research
Much effort is currently being directed towards the study of electromagnetic fields in relation to cancer. Studies in search for possible carcinogenic (cancer-producing) effects of power frequency fields is continuing, although at a reduced level compared to that of the late 1990's.
The long-term health effects of mobile telephone use is another topic of much current research. No obvious adverse effect of exposure to low level radiofrequency fields has been discovered. However, given public concerns regarding the safety of cellular telephones, further research aims to determine whether any less obvious effects might occur at very low exposure levels.

Key points

• A wide range of environmental influences causes biological effects. 'Biological effect' does not equal 'health hazard'. Special research is needed to identify and measure health hazards.
• At low frequencies, external electric and magnetic fields induce small circulating currents within the body. In virtually all ordinary environments, the levels of induced currents inside the body are too small to produce obvious effects.
• The main effect of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields is heating of body tissues.
• There is no doubt that short-term exposure to very high levels of electromagnetic fields can be harmful to health. Current public concern focuses on possible long-term health effects caused by exposure to electromagnetic fields at levels below those required to trigger acute biological responses.
• WHO's International EMF Project was launched to provide scientifically sound and objective answers to public concerns about possible hazards of low level electromagnetic fields.
• Despite extensive research, to date there is no evidence to conclude that exposure to low level electromagnetic fields is harmful to human health.
• The focus of international research is the investigation of possible links between cancer and electromagnetic fields, at power line and radiofrequencies.

Cell Phone Radiation Health Danger

Many cell phone users spend over 30 minutes a day on their mobile. That’s 11000 minutes a year of cell phone radiation applied to the side of their head. Year after year after year.
Common sense would tell you that this amount of radiation, applied at point-blank range, has got to have some effect on those brain cells.
And science agrees with your common sense (for once!)
Cell phone radiation is not good for us. Even if you call it radio-frequency waves!
In fact, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (part of the World Health Organization) has deemed radio-frequency radiation a “possible carcinogen” – i.e. it may cause cancer.
Is it harming you?
Well, that depends on how you use your mobile, and how much you use it. But if you are one of those people who clocks up 11000 minutes of cell phone radiation every year, straight to the side of your head, brace yourself for bad news.

Cell phone radiation can cause cancer, leukemia, brain damage …

Scientific evidence is mounting. Frequent cell phone users are more likely to get sick than other people, and doctors, scientists and health researchers are trying to tell us about it.
Recently published reports indicate that cell phone radiation can cause health challenges such as

• leukemia
• brain cancer
• skin damage
• brain damage
• increased blood pressure
• DNA damage
• sperm abnormalities
• reduced fertility
• salivary gland cancer
• psychological problems

Such a serious illness would generally require long-term radiation exposure. The damage occurs every minute you are exposed to cellphone radiation, but it takes a long time (usually years) for the body to become so completely overwhelmed.
In the short term, the damage may make itself felt through less dramatic problems such as

• tinnitus
• sleep interference
• anxiety
• skin rashes
• electro-sensitivity

But even if you are lucky enough to avoid these and similar health problems, your body is still being stressed (damaged) by radiation from your cell phone, and has to divert scarce resources to repair the damage.
See our page ElectroMagnetic Radiation Health Effects for evidence and sources.

Who is worst affected by cell phone radiation?

Unsurprisingly, cellphone radiation has the greatest effect on people who make frequent or extended use of cellphones. Less frequent use may also be dangerous to susceptible persons, especially children, and people already suffering from degenerative disease. See Who is at Risk?
Responsible scientists, academics, doctors and researchers everywhere are urging us to act on the precautionary principle. Top doctors are urging cell phone companies to come clean on health dangers posed by radiation, according to the Environmental Health Trust.
If you wait for proof that cell phones cause health problems, the first proof you might get is when you, or a person close to you, gets sick from the effects of cell phone radiation. That is not a good way to find out about cell phone radiation dangers!
Rather reduce all unnecessary cell phone radiation exposure, from now onwards.
I wouldn’t rely on cellular service providers, the government or anyone else to protect you and your family from cell phone EMF. These organisations generally take the line that cell phones are “unlikely to increase the risk of health problems” – as here.
For various reasons, including massive commercial interests, you cannot expect them to protect you from this danger. It is up to each one of us, individually, to protect ourselves and our loved ones.
So what should we do? We have to acquire new habits and keep our exposure to cellphone radiation down to levels which don’t affect our health.
How do we do that? See our Safe Cell Phone Usage.

Cell phones emit EMF even when you are NOT using them

There is already strong evidence about the health dangers of frequent or prolonged exposure to mobile phone radiation during conversations.
Less certain, but still probable, are health dangers from carrying a mobile phone on your person, or leaving it close to your body at night.
Although the radiation strength may be higher while talking on a mobile phone, idle phones do emit radiation periodically, even when you are just carrying them.
So it is not surprising that some of the health risks relating to cell phone radiation, such as sperm damage and infertility, may result from just carrying a cell phone in your pocket.
Although sperm damage hits the headlines, possible damage to the eggs in a woman’s ovaries (present from birth and not replaceable) seems even more worrying to me. So whatever your gender, be kind to your body and keep mobile phones away from it.

Cell phone chargers emit low-frequency EMF

When you plug your phone into its charger, the charger unit may emit low-frequency EMF over a short distance. With newer phones, that distance may be only a few inches, but with older ones it can be as much as 2 feet. (Actually, any charger unit may emit EMF, not just a mobile phone charger.)
Many people charge their phones at night, often placing them on the bedside table, and using their bedside electrical socket for the charger.
This can be safe, if the phone is in flight mode or switched off (no radio-frequency EMF) and both the phone and charger are far enough away so that no person is within range of the low-frequency EMF. If you are not sure of that distance, assume the EMF extends 2 feet from the phone and the charger unit.
If you cannot leave the phone in flight mode, then just keep the phone and charger at least 2 feet away from everyone.
For additional practical tips on using your cellphone safely, see Safe Cell Phone Usage.

You may find these articles helpful:

• Cell Tower Health Risks
• Power Lines and Sub-Stations
• EMF Protection Tips
• EMF Health Effects
• Safe Cell Phone Usage
• Smart Meters
• What EMF Does to You
• How to Measure Cell Phone Radiation

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Magnetic Field Exposure and Cancer

1. What are electric and magnetic fields?

   Electric and magnetic fields are invisible areas of energy that are produced by electricity, which is the movement of electrons, or current, through a wire.
   An electric field is produced by voltage, which is the pressure used to push the electrons through the wire, much like water being pushed through a pipe. As the voltage increases, the electric field increases in strength.
   A magnetic field results from the flow of current through wires or electrical devices and increases in strength as the current increases. The strength of a magnetic field decreases rapidly with increased distance from its source.
   Electric fields are produced whether or not a device is turned on, but magnetic fields are produced only when current is flowing, which usually requires a device to be turned on. Power lines produce magnetic fields continuously because current is always flowing through them.
   Electric and magnetic fields together are referred to as electromagnetic fields, or EMFs. There are both natural and human-made sources of EMFs. The earth’s magnetic field, which causes a compass to point North, is an example of a naturally occurring EMF. Power lines, wiring, and electrical appliances, such as electric shavers, hair dryers, computers, televisions, and electric blankets produce what are called extremely low frequency (ELF) EMFs. ELF-EMFs have frequencies of up to 300 cycles per second, or Hertz (Hz); for example, the frequency of alternating current in power lines is 50 or 60 Hz. Cell phones produce radiofrequency EMFs above the ELF range. For more information about cell phones, see the NCI Fact Sheet Cell Phones and Cancer Risk.
   Electric fields are easily shielded or weakened by walls and other objects, whereas magnetic fields can pass through buildings, living things, and most other materials. Consequently, magnetic fields are the component of ELF-EMFs that are usually studied in relation to their possible health effects.

2. Why are ELF-EMFs studied in relation to cancer?

   Any possible health effects of ELF-EMFs would be of concern because power lines and electrical appliances are present everywhere in modern life, and people are constantly encountering these fields, both in their homes and in certain workplaces. Also, the presence of ELF-EMFs in homes means that children are exposed. Even if ELF-EMFs were to increase an individual’s risk of disease only slightly, widespread exposure to ELF-EMFs could translate to meaningful increased risks at the population level.
   Several early epidemiologic studies raised the possibility of an association between certain cancers, especially childhood cancers, and ELF-EMFs. Most subsequent studies have not shown such an association, but scientists have continued to investigate the possibility that one exists.
   No mechanism by which ELF-EMFs could cause cancer has been identified. Unlike high-energy (ionizing) radiation, ELF-EMFs are low energy and non-ionizing and cannot damage DNA or cells directly. Some scientists have speculated that ELF-EMFs could cause cancer through other mechanisms, such as by reducing levels of the hormone melatonin. (There is some evidence that melatonin may suppress the development of certain tumors.) However, studies of animals exposed to ELF-EMFs have not provided any indications that ELF-EMF exposure is associated with cancer (1, 2).

3. What is the evidence for an association between magnetic field exposure and cancer in children? 

   Numerous epidemiologic studies and comprehensive reviews of the scientific literature have evaluated possible associations between exposure to ELF magnetic fields and risk of cancer in children (1, 3, 4). Most of the research has focused on leukemia and brain tumors, the two most common cancers in children. Studies have examined associations of these cancers with living near power lines, with magnetic fields in the home, and with exposure of parents to high levels of magnetic fields in the workplace.
   Exposure from power lines
   Although a study in 1979 pointed to a possible association between living near electric power lines and childhood leukemia (5), more recent studies have had mixed findings. Currently, researchers conclude that there is little evidence that exposure to ELF-EMFs from power lines causes leukemia, brain tumors, or any other cancers in children (1, 6–10).
   Exposure in homes
   Many studies have also looked for possible associations between magnetic fields measured in homes and residences and the risk of childhood cancers, especially leukemia. Individual studies have had varying results, but most have not found an association or have found it only for those children who lived in homes with very high levels of magnetic fields, which are present in few residences (11–14).
   To develop the most accurate estimates of the risks of leukemia in children from magnetic fields in the home, researchers have analyzed the combined data from many studies. In one such analysis that combined data from nine studies done in several countries, leukemia risk was increased only in those children with the highest exposure (a category that included less than 1 percent of the children); these children had a twofold excess risk of childhood leukemia (15). In another analysis that combined data from 15 individual studies, a similar increase in risk was seen in children with the highest exposure level (16). A more recent  analysis of seven studies published after 2000 found a similar trend, but the increase was not statistically significant (17).
   Overall, these analyses suggest that if there is any increase in leukemia risk from magnetic fields, it is restricted to children with the very highest exposure levels. But it is possible that this increase is not real, because if magnetic fields caused childhood leukemia, certain patterns would have been found, such as increasing risk with increasing levels of magnetic field exposure. Such patterns were not seen.
   Another way that people can be exposed to magnetic fields in the home is from household electrical appliances. Although magnetic fields near many electrical appliances are higher than those near power lines, appliances contribute less to a person’s total exposure to magnetic fields because most appliances are used only for short periods of time. Again, studies have not found consistent evidence for an association between the use of household electrical appliances and risk of childhood leukemia (18).
   Parental exposure and risk in children
   Several studies have examined possible associations between maternal or paternal exposure to high levels of magnetic fields before conception and/or during pregnancy and the risk of cancer in their future children. The results to date have been inconsistent (19, 20). Studies are ongoing to evaluate this question.
   Exposure and cancer survival
   A few studies have investigated whether magnetic field exposure is associated with prognosis or survival of children with leukemia. Several small retrospective studies of this question have yielded inconsistent results (21–23). An analysis that combined prospective data for more than 3000 children with acute lymphoid leukemia from eight countries showed that ELF magnetic field exposure was not associated with their survival or risk of relapse (24).

4. What is the evidence that magnetic field exposure is linked to cancer in adults?

   Although some studies have reported associations between ELF-EMF exposure and cancer in adults, other studies have not found evidence for such associations.
   The majority of epidemiologic studies have shown no relationship between breast cancer in women and exposure to ELF-EMFs in the home (25–28), although several individual studies have shown hints of an association (29, 30).
   Several studies conducted in the 1980s and early 1990s reported that people who worked in some electrical occupations (such as power station operators and phone line workers) had higher-than-expected rates of some types of cancer, particularly leukemia, brain tumors, and male breast cancer (1). Some occupational studies showed very small increases in the risks of leukemia and brain cancer, but these results were based on participants’ job titles and not on actual measurements of their exposures. More recent studies, including some that considered the participant’s job title as well as measurements of their exposures, have not shown consistent findings of an increasing risk of leukemia, brain tumors, or female breast cancer with increasing exposure to magnetic fields at work (29, 31–35).

5. Where can people find additional information on EMFs? 

   The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) website has information about EMFs and cancer.

Selected References

1. World Health Organization, International Agency for Research on Cancer. Non-ionizing radiation, Part 1: Static and extremely low-frequency (ELF) electric and magnetic fields . IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans 2002; 80:1-395.
2. Lagroye I, Percherancier Y, Juutilainen J, De Gannes FP, Veyret B. ELF magnetic fields: Animal studies, mechanisms of action. Progress in Biophysics and Molecular Biology 2011; 107(3):369-373.
   [PubMed Abstract]
3. Ahlbom IC, Cardis E, Green A, et al. Review of the epidemiologic literature on EMF and Health. Environmental Health Perspectives 2001; 109 Suppl 6:911-933.
   [PubMed Abstract]
4. Schüz J. Exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields and the risk of childhood cancer: Update of the epidemiological evidence. Progress in Biophysics and Molecular Biology 2011; 107(3):339-342.
   [PubMed Abstract]
5. Wertheimer N, Leeper E. Electrical wiring configurations and childhood cancer. American Journal of Epidemiology 1979; 109(3):273-284.
   [PubMed Abstract]
6. Kleinerman RA, Kaune WT, Hatch EE, et al. Are children living near high-voltage power lines at increased risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia? American Journal of Epidemiology 2000; 151(5):512-515.
   [PubMed Abstract]
7. Kroll ME, Swanson J, Vincent TJ, Draper GJ. Childhood cancer and magnetic fields from high-voltage power lines in England and Wales: A case–control study. British Journal of Cancer 2010; 103(7):1122-1127.
   [PubMed Abstract]
8. Wünsch-Filho V, Pelissari DM, Barbieri FE, et al. Exposure to magnetic fields and childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia in São Paulo, Brazil. Cancer Epidemiology 2011; 35(6):534-539.
   [PubMed Abstract]
9. Sermage-Faure C, Demoury C, Rudant J, et al. Childhood leukaemia close to high-voltage power lines--the Geocap study, 2002-2007. British Journal of Cancer 2013; 108(9):1899-1906.
   [PubMed Abstract]
10. Kabuto M, Nitta H, Yamamoto S, et al. Childhood leukemia and magnetic fields in Japan: A case–control study of childhood leukemia and residential power-frequency magnetic fields in Japan. International Journal of Cancer 2006; 119(3):643-650.
    [PubMed Abstract]
11. Linet MS, Hatch EE, Kleinerman RA, et al. Residential exposure to magnetic fields and acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children. New England Journal of Medicine 1997; 337(1):1-7.
    [PubMed Abstract]
12. Kheifets L, Ahlbom A, Crespi CM, et al. A pooled analysis of extremely low-frequency magnetic fields and childhood brain tumors. American Journal of Epidemiology 2010; 172(7):752-761.
    [PubMed Abstract]
13. Mezei G, Gadallah M, Kheifets L. Residential magnetic field exposure and childhood brain cancer: A meta-analysis. Epidemiology 2008; 19(3):424-430.
    [PubMed Abstract]
14. Does M, Scélo G, Metayer C, et al. Exposure to electrical contact currents and the risk of childhood leukemia. Radiation Research 2011; 175(3):390-396.
    [PubMed Abstract]
15. Ahlbom A, Day N, Feychting M, et al. A pooled analysis of magnetic fields and childhood leukaemia. British Journal of Cancer 2000; 83(5):692-698.
    [PubMed Abstract]
16. Greenland S, Sheppard AR, Kaune WT, Poole C, Kelsh MA. A pooled analysis of magnetic fields, wire codes, and childhood leukemia. Childhood Leukemia-EMF Study Group. Epidemiology 2000; 11(6):624-634.
    [PubMed Abstract]
17. Kheifets L, Ahlbom A, Crespi CM, et al. Pooled analysis of recent studies on magnetic fields and childhood leukaemia. British Journal of Cancer 2010; 103(7):1128-1135.
    [PubMed Abstract]
18. Hatch EE, Linet MS, Kleinerman RA, et al. Association between childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia and use of electrical appliances during pregnancy and childhood. Epidemiology 1998; 9(3):234-245.
    [PubMed Abstract]
19. Infante-Rivard C, Deadman JE. Maternal occupational exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields during pregnancy and childhood leukemia. Epidemiology 2003; 14(4):437-441.
    [PubMed Abstract]
20. Hug K, Grize L, Seidler A, Kaatsch P, Schüz J. Parental occupational exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields and childhood cancer: A German case–control study. American Journal of Epidemiology 2010; 171(1):27-35.
    [PubMed Abstract]
21. Svendsen AL, Weihkopf T, Kaatsch P, Schüz J. Exposure to magnetic fields and survival after diagnosis of childhood leukemia: A German cohort study. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention 2007; 16(6):1167-1171.
    [PubMed Abstract]
22. Foliart DE, Pollock BH, Mezei G, et al. Magnetic field exposure and long-term survival among children with leukaemia. British Journal of Cancer 2006; 94(1):161-164.
    [PubMed Abstract]
23. Foliart DE, Mezei G, Iriye R, et al. Magnetic field exposure and prognostic factors in childhood leukemia. Bioelectromagnetics 2007; 28(1):69-71.
    [PubMed Abstract]
24. Schüz J, Grell K, Kinsey S, et al. Extremely low-frequency magnetic fields and survival from childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: An international follow-up study. Blood Cancer Journal 2012; 2:e98.
    [PubMed Abstract]
25. Schoenfeld ER, O'Leary ES, Henderson K, et al. Electromagnetic fields and breast cancer on Long Island: A case–control study. American Journal of Epidemiology 2003; 158(1):47-58.
    [PubMed Abstract]
26. London SJ, Pogoda JM, Hwang KL, et al. Residential magnetic field exposure and breast cancer risk: A nested case–control study from a multiethnic cohort in Los Angeles County, California. American Journal of Epidemiology 2003; 158(10):969-980.
    [PubMed Abstract]
27. Davis S, Mirick DK, Stevens RG. Residential magnetic fields and the risk of breast cancer. American Journal of Epidemiology 2002; 155(5):446-454.
    [PubMed Abstract]
28. Kabat GC, O'Leary ES, Schoenfeld ER, et al. Electric blanket use and breast cancer on Long Island. Epidemiology 2003; 14(5):514-520.
    [PubMed Abstract]
29. Kliukiene J, Tynes T, Andersen A. Residential and occupational exposures to 50-Hz magnetic fields and breast cancer in women: A population-based study. American Journal of Epidemiology 2004; 159(9):852-861.
    [PubMed Abstract]
30. Zhu K, Hunter S, Payne-Wilks K, Roland CL, Forbes DS. Use of electric bedding devices and risk of breast cancer in African-American women. American Journal of Epidemiology 2003; 158(8):798-806.
    [PubMed Abstract]
31. Tynes T, Haldorsen T. Residential and occupational exposure to 50 Hz magnetic fields and hematological cancers in Norway. Cancer Causes & Control 2003; 14(8):715-720.
    [PubMed Abstract]
32. Labrèche F, Goldberg MS, Valois MF, et al. Occupational exposures to extremely low frequency magnetic fields and postmenopausal breast cancer. American Journal of Industrial Medicine 2003; 44(6):643-652.
    [PubMed Abstract]
33. Willett EV, McKinney PA, Fear NT, Cartwright RA, Roman E. Occupational exposure to electromagnetic fields and acute leukaemia: Analysis of a case-control study. Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2003; 60(8):577-583.
    [PubMed Abstract]
34. Coble JB, Dosemeci M, Stewart PA, et al. Occupational exposure to magnetic fields and the risk of brain tumors. Neuro-Oncology 2009; 11(3):242-249.
    [PubMed Abstract]
35. Li W, Ray RM, Thomas DB, et al. Occupational exposure to magnetic fields and breast cancer among women textile workers in Shanghai, China. American Journal of Epidemiology 2013; 178(7):1038-1045.
    [PubMed Abstract]

European Commission Releases New EMF Exposure Report

http://www.interferencetechnology.com/european-commission-releases-new-emf-exposure-report/

A European Commission health committee has released a new updated preliminary study on the health effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields.

Published by the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR), “Potential Health Effects of Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields” is an update to  a 2009 study and aims to take into account technological developments that may have altered average EMF exposure levels, such as greater use of switched power supplies in electronic devices and the increase in household appliances in the intermediate frequency range that exceed reference levels set by previous guidelines.

The report is based on over five hundred studies, most of which were published after 2009, and covers radio frequency, intermediate frequency, terahertz frequency, low frequency and static magnetic field exposure.

Regarding RF exposure, the committee said, “epidemiological studies on RF exposure do not unequivocally indicate an increased risk of brain tumors, and do not indicate an increased risk for other cancers of the head and neck region, or other malignant diseases including childhood cancer.” There is also a lack of evidence regarding negative effects of RF radiation on human cognitive functions, reproduction and development.

Referencing earlier research on the potential for an increased risk of glioma and acoustic neuroma in frequent users of mobile phones, the committee added, “it appears that the evidence for glioma became weaker while the possibility of an association with acoustic neuroma remains open.”

Cell phones remain the most frequent source of human exposure to electromagnetic fields, says the committee, noting that smartphones and other portable wireless devices operate within networks of different technologies and have therefore complicated EMF exposure.

A proper risk assessment on health effects from IF exposure is still not possible at this time, according to the committee, as there are few new studies in general, and no epidemiological studies have been conducted. Risk assessment on the potential health effects from exposure to terahertz EMF is also limited due to the small number of studies carried out thus far.

More research is also needed into the health effects of low frequency electromagnetic fields, says the committee, noting “epidemiological studies are consistent with earlier findings of an increased risk of childhood leukemia with long-term average exposure to magnetic fields above 0.3 to 0.4 µT” but “due to a lack of support from experimental data and shortcomings in the epidemiological studies, evidence remains weak that the observed associated reflects a casual effect.” Some studies have indicated that exposure to ELF does not impact physical movement, but may affect the performance of spatial memory tasks and could raise behavioral anxiety and stress. These effects may be greater with higher intensity fields and with longer periods of exposure.

The committee notes that observational studies have shown that movement in strong static magnetic fields—about 2 T—may induce vertigo and nausea, and suggests further investigation regarding the effects of an MRI scan on DNA integrity is needed. Additional research is also needed on combined simultaneous exposure to EMF of different frequencies and co-exposure to EMF and chemicals or other stressors before any conclusions can be drawn.

A public consultation on the preliminary study will run until April 16, after which a comprehensive report will be released.

- See more at: http://www.interferencetechnology.com/european-commission-releases-new-emf-exposure-report/#sthash.43hRcpHp.dpuf

Adult Leukemia and electromagnetic fields

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Swedish study of adult leukemia and exposure to high electromagnetic fields

A significant study to report an association between cancer and magnetic field exposure in a broad range of industries was conducted by Floderus at the Swedish National Institute of Working Life. The study included an assessment of electric and magnetic exposure at 1015 different workplaces in Sweden and involved over 1600 people in 169 different occupations.

The researchers reported an association between estimated field exposure and increased risk for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). In addition, an increased risk of brain tumors was reported for men under the age of 40 whose work involved an average magnetic field exposure of more than 2 mG.

Another case-control study by Feychting in Sweden included approximately 400,000 subjects who had lived within a range of 300 meters of power transmission lines for at least one year during the period between 1960 and 1985. The researchers found that persons who were exposed to magnetic fields both at home and at workplace are nearly 4 times likely to develop leukemia compared to those who were not exposed to magnetic fields.

Denmark study

Johansen and Olsen conducted a study involving 32,006 men and women who had been employed at 99 electric utilities in Denmark. Their obtained employmenht istory goes back to 1909. Cancer incidents were attained from the cancer registry over the same period. The authors predicted that utility workers have slightly more cancer than expected from general population statistics, with no excess of leukemia, brain cancer, or breast cancer.

Source: http://altermedicine.org/adult-leukemia-and-electromagnetic-fields/

Cell phone radiation - The Big Picture

The excellent Devra Davis, lecturer and author, talks to Thom Hartmann on 'The Big Picture'  about cell phone radiation.

Thom Hartmann: "So if you think talking on your cell phone for hours is perfectly safe, then everything you know is wrong."

Dr. Devra Davis: "Now in fact cancer is not the main concern that I have, I'm really concernd about sperm count and about effects on pregnancy."