Electromagnetic fields: The biological evidence

Journal Article · Fri Sep 21 04:00:00 EDT 1990 · Science (Washington, D.C.); (USA)

OSTI ID:5703187

Over the past few years, epidemiological studies that seem to show links between exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and cancer have generated headlines and prompted public concern about the hazards of living near power lines and operating electrical equipment. But while these studies are suggestive, they are sometimes contradictory and often lack statistical significance, and that has led most scientists to decide that the epidemiological data by themselves are inconclusive. So researchers are studying how the body reacts to EMFs at the cellular level, in the hope that this will shed some light on the epidemiological findings. After more than a decade of laboratory experimentation, there is still no direct evidence that EMFs cause or promote cancer in lab animals. But during that time scientists have discovered a number of ways EMFs can affect biological functions, including changes in hormone levels, alterations in the binding of ions to cell membranes, and the modification of biochemical processes inside the cell, such as RNA transcription and protein synthesis.

• OSTI ID: 5703187
• Journal Information: Science (Washington, D.C.); (USA), Journal Name: Science (Washington, D.C.); (USA) Vol. 249:4975; ISSN SCIEA; ISSN 0036-8075
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560400* -- Other Environmental Pollutant Effects
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CELL CONSTITUENTS
CELL MEMBRANES
DISEASES
ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS
HORMONES
LABORATORY ANIMALS
MAMMALS
MAN
MEMBRANES
NEOPLASMS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PRIMATES
PROTEINS
RISK ASSESSMENT
VERTEBRATES