Findings point to complexity of health effects of electric, magnetic fields

Journal Article · Mon Jul 18 04:00:00 EDT 1994 · Chemical and Engineering News; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/cen-v072n029.p027· OSTI ID:7074678

Hileman, B

Significant findings on the physiological consequences of exposure to electric and magnetic fields (EMF) have been coming from current research in various areas: cell function, epidemiology, bone healing, health effects of video display terminals, and whole-animal studies. But as results presented to more than 500 attendees at the 16th annual meeting of the Bioelectromagnetics Society in Copenhagen in mid-June clearly showed, research on EMF is complicated. The most comprehensive results presented at the meeting were in the area of breast cancer. Taken together, data from epidemiological, cellular, hormonal, and animal studies give a multifaceted picture of how EMF might promote the disease. One theory linking EMF and breast cancer is that magnetic fields lower the amount of the hormone melatonin produced in humans. As a consequence, the natural suppressive effect of melatonin on breast cancer cell growth is reduced. Another theory is that magnetic fields may directly interfere with melatonin's suppressive action on breast cancer cell proliferation.

• OSTI ID: 7074678
• Journal Information: Chemical and Engineering News; (United States), Journal Name: Chemical and Engineering News; (United States) Vol. 72:29; ISSN 0009-2347; ISSN CENEAR
• 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
BODY
DISEASES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EPIDEMIOLOGY
GLANDS
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
MAMMALS
MAMMARY GLANDS
MAN
NEOPLASMS
ORGANS
PRIMATES
RADIATIONS
VERTEBRATES