Relation between suicide and the electromagnetic field of overhead power lines
← Research streamUsing 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
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.
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.
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."
}
]
}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
Related papers
- Relationship between distance to overhead power lines and calculated fields in two studies 2020
- Proximity to overhead power lines and childhood leukaemia: an international pooled analysis 2018
- The influence of electromagnetic field irradiated by high-voltage transmission lines on properties of cells. 2005
- Environmental power-frequency magnetic fields and suicide 1981
- Magnetic fields from indoor transformer stations and risk of cancer in adults: a cohort study 2024
- Fuzzy-Based Bioengineering System for Predicting and Diagnosing Diseases of the Nervous System 2024