Insights in the Biology of Extremely Low-Frequency Magnetic Fields Exposure on Human Health

Molecular biology reports · 2020 · Mixed · Insufficient evidence

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MixedInsufficient evidencePaper 1512

Study snapshot

PublicationMolecular biology reports · 2020

Study typereview

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingInsufficient

Abstract

Insights in the Biology of Extremely Low-Frequency Magnetic Fields Exposure on Human Health Abbas Karimi, Farzaneh Ghadiri Moghaddam, Masoumeh Valipour. Insights in the Biology of Extremely Low- Frequency Magnetic Fields Exposure on Human Health. Mol Biol Rep. 2020 Jun 8. doi: 10.1007/s11033-020- 05563-8. Abstract The extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-EMF) are generated by electrical devices and power systems (1 to 300 Hz). In recent decades, exposure to ELF-EMF has emerged potential concerns on public health. Here, we discuss recent progress in the understanding of ELF-EMF biology with a focus on mechanisms of ELF-EMF- mediated disease and summarize the results of more recent experimental and epidemiological studies of ELF- EMF exposure effects on cancer, neurological, cardiovascular, and reproductive disorders. Current views on genomic instability effects, as well as scientific evidence about ELF-EMF therapy, are put forth. According to our literature review, exposure to ELF-EMF has an adverse biological effect depending on the current intensity, strength of the magnetic field, and duration of exposure. Accumulated epidemiologic evidence indicates a correlation between exposure to ELF-EMF and childhood cancer incidence, Alzheimer's disease (AD), and miscarriage. However, adult cancer does not show augmented risk caused by the ELF-EMF. Also, no consistent evidence exists in cardiovascular disease mortality due to ELF-EMF exposure. There is a lack of comprehensive mechanisms for explaining the biological effect of ELF-EMF. Eventually, more studies are needed to clarify the mechanisms of these magnetic fields. Conclusion This review suggest that exposure to ELF-EMF has an adverse biological effect, which depends on the current intensity, strength of the magnetic field, and duration of exposure. Accumulated epidemiologic evidence indicates a correlation between exposure to ELF-EMF and childhood cancer incidence, AD, and miscarriage. However, adult cancer does not show augmented risk caused by the ELF-EMF. Besides, no consistent evidence exists on the mortality of cardiovascular disease due to ELF-EMF exposure. Additional epidemiological studies in large study populations with improved exposure assessments are needed to clarify current inconclusive relationships. The in vivo and in vitro evidence confirms the association between DNA strands breaks and exposure to ELF-EMF. On the other hand, some studies show the therapeutic effect of these fields. There is a lack of a comprehensive mechanism for explaining the biological effect of ELF-EMF on human health. Eventually, more studies are needed to clarify the mechanisms of these magnetic fields. 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 literature review summarizes experimental and epidemiological evidence on ELF-EMF (1–300 Hz) and reports that adverse biological effects may depend on current intensity, magnetic field strength, and exposure duration. It states accumulated epidemiologic evidence indicates correlations with childhood cancer incidence, Alzheimer's disease, and miscarriage, while adult cancer risk is not augmented and evidence for cardiovascular disease mortality is not consistent; it also notes in vivo and in vitro evidence supporting an association with DNA strand breaks and that some studies report therapeutic effects.

Outcomes measured

Cancer (childhood and adult)
Neurological disorders (including Alzheimer's disease)
Cardiovascular disorders/mortality
Reproductive disorders (including miscarriage)
Genomic instability/DNA strand breaks
Therapeutic effects of ELF-EMF

Limitations

Lack of comprehensive mechanisms explaining ELF-EMF biological effects
Relationships described as inconclusive; additional large epidemiological studies with improved exposure assessment are needed

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "review",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "electrical devices and power systems",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": null,
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Cancer (childhood and adult)",
    "Neurological disorders (including Alzheimer's disease)",
    "Cardiovascular disorders/mortality",
    "Reproductive disorders (including miscarriage)",
    "Genomic instability/DNA strand breaks",
    "Therapeutic effects of ELF-EMF"
  ],
  "main_findings": "This literature review summarizes experimental and epidemiological evidence on ELF-EMF (1–300 Hz) and reports that adverse biological effects may depend on current intensity, magnetic field strength, and exposure duration. It states accumulated epidemiologic evidence indicates correlations with childhood cancer incidence, Alzheimer's disease, and miscarriage, while adult cancer risk is not augmented and evidence for cardiovascular disease mortality is not consistent; it also notes in vivo and in vitro evidence supporting an association with DNA strand breaks and that some studies report therapeutic effects.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Lack of comprehensive mechanisms explaining ELF-EMF biological effects",
    "Relationships described as inconclusive; additional large epidemiological studies with improved exposure assessment are needed"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "extremely low-frequency",
    "ELF-EMF",
    "magnetic fields",
    "power systems",
    "electrical devices",
    "childhood cancer",
    "Alzheimer's disease",
    "miscarriage",
    "cardiovascular mortality",
    "DNA strand breaks",
    "genomic instability",
    "therapy"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.22,
      "reason": "Discusses ELF-EMF from electrical devices and power systems; could include occupational/public exposures, though not explicitly separated."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1007/s11033-020
PubMed: 32515000

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