Introduction to the Special Issue "Electromagnetic Waves Pollution"

2018 · Harm · Insufficient evidence

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HarmInsufficient evidencePaper 1992

This introduction states that a large body of scientific studies has shown harmful effects of EMF exposure and that studies in the special issue provide further evidence of significant effects on cellular functions at ELF-EMF intensity levels to which humans …

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2018

Study typeother

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingInsufficient

Abstract

Introduction to the Special Issue "Electromagnetic Waves Pollution" Calabrò E. Introduction to the Special Issue "Electromagnetic Waves Pollution." Sustainability 2018, 10(9), 3326; doi.org. Published: Sep 18, 2018. (This article belongs to the Special Issue Electromagnetic Waves Pollution) Abstract Modern technology has largely developed using energy forms of which the most relevant is surely electricity. Electric power stations generate alternate current at frequencies of 50 or 60 Hz, transmitted across high voltage transmission lines that are often located too near to buildings where humans live or work. In addition, home devices that work using alternate current expose humans to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields. Furthermore, trams, electric trains, and some industrial processes generate static magnetic fields. Electromagnetic fields produce non-ionizing radiation, which gives rise to the so-called electromagnetic waves pollution, also named electrosmog. A large scientific production study showed harmful effects of exposure to EMFs. In view of these results, the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection published international guidelines in order to recommend exposure limits to EMFs for occupational exposure and for general public exposure. The aim of this thematic issue is to give a further contribution to highlight the problem of electromagnetic waves pollution and to investigate the effects of exposure to EMFs on biological systems even below the EMF limits recommended by ICNIRP. Conclusion In conclusion, the studies reported in this thematic issue give further proof of significant effects in cellular functions induced by exposure to intensity levels of ELF-EMFs to which humans are generally exposed. Since it cannot be ruled out that such measured alterations can induce the onset of diseases in humans, it would be advisable to design shielding protection against exposure to EMFs or to plan electromagnetic systems and devices working at frequencies far from natural resonant frequencies of biological systems. These frequencies would be discovered in future research. Open access paper: mdpi.com

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 typeother

Effect directionharm

PopulationNot supplied

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF

Evidence strengthInsufficientConfidence: 66% · Peer reviewed: unknown

Main findings

Outcomes measured

cellular functions
biological system effects
potential disease onset (speculative)

Limitations

Article is an introduction/editorial for a special issue rather than an original study
No specific exposure metrics (field strength, duration) reported
No specific study designs, populations, or sample sizes described
Causal links to human disease are presented as not ruled out rather than demonstrated

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "other",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "power lines/home devices/static magnetic fields/transport/industrial",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": null,
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "cellular functions",
    "biological system effects",
    "potential disease onset (speculative)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "This introduction states that a large body of scientific studies has shown harmful effects of EMF exposure and that studies in the special issue provide further evidence of significant effects on cellular functions at ELF-EMF intensity levels to which humans are generally exposed, including levels below ICNIRP limits.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Article is an introduction/editorial for a special issue rather than an original study",
    "No specific exposure metrics (field strength, duration) reported",
    "No specific study designs, populations, or sample sizes described",
    "Causal links to human disease are presented as not ruled out rather than demonstrated"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.66,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "unknown",
  "keywords": [
    "electromagnetic waves pollution",
    "electrosmog",
    "non-ionizing radiation",
    "ELF-EMF",
    "50 Hz",
    "60 Hz",
    "power lines",
    "home devices",
    "static magnetic fields",
    "ICNIRP guidelines",
    "occupational exposure",
    "general public exposure",
    "shielding"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "who-icnirp",
      "weight": 0.86,
      "reason": "Discusses ICNIRP guidelines and exposure limits for occupational and general public exposure."
    },
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.62,
      "reason": "Mentions occupational exposure limits and workplaces near transmission lines/industrial processes."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.3390/su10093326
PubMed: Not supplied

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