Evaluation of residential exposure to intermediate frequency magnetic fields.

Archives of environmental health · 2004 · No effect · Low evidence

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No effectLow evidencePaper 3631

Study snapshot

PublicationArchives of environmental health · 2004

Study typeexposure_assessment

Reported directionNo effect

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

The authors measured the exposure to intermediate-frequency (IF: 10 kHz to 30 MHz) electromagnetic fields (EMF) in residential environments. They developed a system to acquire and record waveforms of IF magnetic fields (MFs) and set 5 nanotesla (nT) for the trigger level of acquisition. They operated the system near power lines, railroads, and electrical appliances as possible sources of IF-MFs. Most of the maximum values of magnetic flux density and the time derivative for each wave were below the upper limit of the measurable range of our system (i.e., 53 nT and 10 T/s); these values were much lower than the minimum amplitudes that can theoretically induce heating or membrane excitation within biological systems. Moreover, the amplitudes of the IF-MFs were not related to those of extremely low frequency (ELF) MF measured simultaneously, indicating that IF-MFs do not underlie the associations, observed in several epidemiological studies, between residential exposure to ELF-EMF and childhood cancer.

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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 typeexposure_assessment

Effect directionno_effect

PopulationNot supplied

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureIF

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Intermediate-frequency magnetic fields (10 kHz to 30 MHz) were measured in residential environments using a waveform acquisition system with a 5 nT trigger. Most maximum magnetic flux density and time-derivative values were below the system’s upper measurable limits (53 nT and 10 T/s) and were reported as much lower than minimum amplitudes that can theoretically induce heating or membrane excitation. IF-MF amplitudes were not related to simultaneously measured ELF magnetic fields, and the authors state this suggests IF-MFs do not explain reported associations between residential ELF-EMF exposure and childhood cancer.

Outcomes measured

Intermediate-frequency (10 kHz to 30 MHz) magnetic field waveforms in residential environments
Magnetic flux density (nT)
Time derivative of magnetic field (T/s)
Correlation/relationship between IF-MF amplitudes and simultaneously measured ELF-MF amplitudes

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "exposure_assessment",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "IF",
    "source": "residential (near power lines, railroads, electrical appliances)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": null,
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Intermediate-frequency (10 kHz to 30 MHz) magnetic field waveforms in residential environments",
    "Magnetic flux density (nT)",
    "Time derivative of magnetic field (T/s)",
    "Correlation/relationship between IF-MF amplitudes and simultaneously measured ELF-MF amplitudes"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Intermediate-frequency magnetic fields (10 kHz to 30 MHz) were measured in residential environments using a waveform acquisition system with a 5 nT trigger. Most maximum magnetic flux density and time-derivative values were below the system’s upper measurable limits (53 nT and 10 T/s) and were reported as much lower than minimum amplitudes that can theoretically induce heating or membrane excitation. IF-MF amplitudes were not related to simultaneously measured ELF magnetic fields, and the authors state this suggests IF-MFs do not explain reported associations between residential ELF-EMF exposure and childhood cancer.",
  "effect_direction": "no_effect",
  "limitations": [],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "intermediate frequency",
    "magnetic fields",
    "residential exposure",
    "exposure measurement",
    "power lines",
    "railroads",
    "electrical appliances",
    "waveform acquisition",
    "ELF magnetic fields"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "exposure-assessment",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Study focuses on measuring and characterizing residential intermediate-frequency magnetic field exposure."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1080/00039890409602955
PubMed: 16789479

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