Prioritizing health outcomes when assessing the effects of exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields: A survey among experts.

Environment international · 2021 · Unclear · Insufficient evidence

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UnclearInsufficient evidencePaper 5608

Study snapshot

PublicationEnvironment international · 2021

Study typeother

Reported directionUnclear

Evidence ratingInsufficient

Abstract

Exposure to radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields (EMF) (frequencies of 100 kHz to 300 GHz) has been steadily increasing. In addition to heat-related effects of RF EMF, other yet-unspecified biological effects, might exist which could possibly lead to health effects. Given the large number of health endpoints that have been studied, we wanted to prioritize those that would merit systematic reviews. We developed a survey listing of all health endpoints reported in the literature and we asked 300 RF EMF experts and researchers to prioritize these health effects for systematic review as critical, important or unimportant. We also asked the experts to provide the rationale for their prioritization. Of the 300 RF EMF experts queried, 164 (54%) responded. They rated cancer, heat-related effects, adverse birth outcomes, electromagnetic hypersensitivity, cognitive impairment, adverse pregnancy outcomes and oxidative stress as outcomes most critical regarding RF EMF exposure. For these outcomes, systematic reviews are needed. For heat-related outcomes, the experts based their ranking of the critical outcomes on what is known from human or animal studies, and for cancer and other outcomes, they based their rating also on public concern. To assess health risks of an exposure in a robust manner, it is important to prioritize the health outcomes that should be systematically reviewed. Here we have shown that it feasible to do so in an inclusive and transparent way.

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 directionunclear

PopulationRF EMF experts and researchers (survey respondents)

Sample size164

ExposureRF

Evidence strengthInsufficientConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

A survey of 300 RF EMF experts/researchers (164 respondents) asked participants to rate health endpoints as critical/important/unimportant for systematic review. Respondents rated cancer, heat-related effects, adverse birth outcomes, electromagnetic hypersensitivity, cognitive impairment, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and oxidative stress as the most critical outcomes for RF EMF exposure; they cited existing evidence (especially for heat-related outcomes) and public concern (notably for cancer and other outcomes) as rationales.

Outcomes measured

Prioritization of health endpoints for systematic review
Cancer
Heat-related effects
Adverse birth outcomes
Electromagnetic hypersensitivity
Cognitive impairment
Adverse pregnancy outcomes
Oxidative stress

Limitations

Survey captures expert prioritization rather than direct health effects
Non-response: 164/300 (54%) responded

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "other",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "RF EMF experts and researchers (survey respondents)",
  "sample_size": 164,
  "outcomes": [
    "Prioritization of health endpoints for systematic review",
    "Cancer",
    "Heat-related effects",
    "Adverse birth outcomes",
    "Electromagnetic hypersensitivity",
    "Cognitive impairment",
    "Adverse pregnancy outcomes",
    "Oxidative stress"
  ],
  "main_findings": "A survey of 300 RF EMF experts/researchers (164 respondents) asked participants to rate health endpoints as critical/important/unimportant for systematic review. Respondents rated cancer, heat-related effects, adverse birth outcomes, electromagnetic hypersensitivity, cognitive impairment, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and oxidative stress as the most critical outcomes for RF EMF exposure; they cited existing evidence (especially for heat-related outcomes) and public concern (notably for cancer and other outcomes) as rationales.",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [
    "Survey captures expert prioritization rather than direct health effects",
    "Non-response: 164/300 (54%) responded"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "radiofrequency",
    "RF EMF",
    "electromagnetic fields",
    "expert survey",
    "prioritization",
    "systematic review",
    "health endpoints",
    "cancer",
    "heat-related effects",
    "birth outcomes",
    "electromagnetic hypersensitivity",
    "cognitive impairment",
    "pregnancy outcomes",
    "oxidative stress"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "who-icnirp",
      "weight": 0.55,
      "reason": "Focuses on prioritizing health outcomes for systematic reviews of RF EMF exposure, relevant to evidence assessment frameworks used by major guideline bodies."
    }
  ]
}

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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.envint.2020.106300
PubMed: 33395944

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