An overview of the biological effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields combined with ionizing radiation

Progress in biophysics and molecular biology · 2022 · Mixed · Insufficient evidence

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MixedInsufficient evidencePaper 820

Study snapshot

PublicationProgress in biophysics and molecular biology · 2022

Study typereview

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingInsufficient

Abstract

An overview of the biological effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields combined with ionizing radiation Bahareh Gholipour Hamedani, Bahram Goliaei, Seyed Peyman Shariatpanahi, Maryamsadat Nezamtaheri. An overview of the biological effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields combined with ionizing radiation. Prog Biophys Mol Biol. 2022 May 2;S0079-6107(22)00037-2. doi: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2022.04.008. Abstract By growing the electrical power networks and electronic devices, electromagnetic fields (EMF) have become an inseparable part of the modern world. Considering the inevitable exposure to a various range of EMFs, especially at extremely low frequencies (ELF-EMF), investigating the biological effects of ELF-EMFs on biological systems became a global issue. The possible adverse consequences of these exposures were studied, along with their potential therapeutic capabilities. Also, their biological impacts in combination with other chemical and physical agents, specifically ionizing radiation (IR), as a co-carcinogen or as adjuvant therapy in combination with radiotherapy were explored. Here, we review the results of several in-vitro and in-vivo studies and discuss some proposed possible mechanisms of ELF-EMFs' actions in combination with IR. The results of these experiments could be fruitful to develop more precise safety standards for environmental ELF-EMFs exposures. Furthermore, it could evaluate the therapeutic capacities of ELF-EMFs alone or as an improver of radiotherapy. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typereview

Effect directionmixed

PopulationNot supplied

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF

Evidence strengthInsufficientConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

This review summarizes results from multiple in-vitro and in-vivo studies on biological effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF), including when combined with ionizing radiation (IR) as a potential co-carcinogen or as an adjuvant in radiotherapy. It discusses proposed mechanisms and notes potential relevance for safety standards and therapeutic applications.

Outcomes measured

Biological effects of ELF-EMF exposure
Biological effects of combined exposure to ELF-EMF and ionizing radiation
Potential co-carcinogenic effects (ELF-EMF with ionizing radiation)
Potential adjuvant/therapeutic effects with radiotherapy
Proposed mechanisms of action

Limitations

No specific ELF frequencies, exposure metrics, or durations are provided in the abstract.
No specific biological endpoints or quantitative results are reported in the abstract.
Study selection methods and quality assessment are not described in the abstract.

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "review",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": null,
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Biological effects of ELF-EMF exposure",
    "Biological effects of combined exposure to ELF-EMF and ionizing radiation",
    "Potential co-carcinogenic effects (ELF-EMF with ionizing radiation)",
    "Potential adjuvant/therapeutic effects with radiotherapy",
    "Proposed mechanisms of action"
  ],
  "main_findings": "This review summarizes results from multiple in-vitro and in-vivo studies on biological effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF), including when combined with ionizing radiation (IR) as a potential co-carcinogen or as an adjuvant in radiotherapy. It discusses proposed mechanisms and notes potential relevance for safety standards and therapeutic applications.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "No specific ELF frequencies, exposure metrics, or durations are provided in the abstract.",
    "No specific biological endpoints or quantitative results are reported in the abstract.",
    "Study selection methods and quality assessment are not described in the abstract."
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "extremely low frequency",
    "ELF-EMF",
    "electromagnetic fields",
    "ionizing radiation",
    "radiotherapy",
    "co-carcinogen",
    "in vitro",
    "in vivo",
    "mechanisms",
    "safety standards"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "who-icnirp",
      "weight": 0.32,
      "reason": "Discusses implications for safety standards for environmental ELF-EMF exposures."
    }
  ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2022.04.008
PubMed: 35513112

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