Relation between suicide and the electromagnetic field of overhead power lines

Physiol Chem Phys · 1979 · Harm · Very low evidence

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HarmVery low evidencePaper 6689

Using a "new approach," the authors report that a correlation was established between the presence of transmission-line electromagnetic fields and the occurrence of suicides in part of the Midlands of England.

Study snapshot

PublicationPhysiol Chem Phys · 1979
Study typeecological
Reported directionHarm
Evidence ratingVery low

Abstract

Laboratory studies have shown that electromagnetic fields similar to those from high-voltage transmission lines can produce biological effects. Surveys of the actual effects of such lines on exposed individuals usually have been hampered by complicating factors tending to blur the data. By means of a new approach, however, correlation has been established between the presence of transmission-line fields and the occurrence of suicides in part of the Midlands of England.

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 typeecological
Effect directionharm
PopulationIndividuals in part of the Midlands of England
Sample sizeNot supplied
ExposureELF
Evidence strengthVery lowConfidence: 62% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Using a "new approach," the authors report that a correlation was established between the presence of transmission-line electromagnetic fields and the occurrence of suicides in part of the Midlands of England.

Outcomes measured

  • suicide

Limitations

  • Only a correlation is described; causality is not established in the abstract.
  • Key methodological details (design specifics, exposure assessment, confounder control, and sample size) are not provided in the abstract.
  • Geographic restriction to part of the Midlands of England may limit generalizability.
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "ecological",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "overhead power lines / high-voltage transmission lines",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Individuals in part of the Midlands of England",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "suicide"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Using a \"new approach,\" the authors report that a correlation was established between the presence of transmission-line electromagnetic fields and the occurrence of suicides in part of the Midlands of England.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Only a correlation is described; causality is not established in the abstract.",
    "Key methodological details (design specifics, exposure assessment, confounder control, and sample size) are not provided in the abstract.",
    "Geographic restriction to part of the Midlands of England may limit generalizability."
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "very_low",
  "confidence": 0.62,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "electromagnetic fields",
    "ELF",
    "high-voltage transmission lines",
    "overhead power lines",
    "suicide",
    "ecological correlation",
    "England",
    "Midlands"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.2,
      "reason": "Involves exposure to transmission-line fields, but the abstract does not specify occupational exposure; primarily a community/geographic correlation."
    }
  ]
}
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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: Not supplied
PubMed: 542502

Read the original paper →

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