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Electromagnetic Field Effects

There is no question that electromagnetic fields (EMF) can affect living organisms. Many electronic devices have shields which limit the user's exposure. The possible effects of long-term, low-level exposure is more controversial, as scientists continue to study exposure to mobile phone and power line EMF. In 2006, the European Community (EC) released a comprehensive report stating that, while statistical data shows that there may be some danger, studies have not been able to demonstrate a mechanism for such effects.

  1. Background

    • Concerns about the possible effects of EMF from power lines on human health surfaced at the end of the 1990s. The EC report divides EMF into three frequency ranges and concludes that concerns remain for radio-frequency fields and for extremely low frequency fields. Mobile phone operation generates EMF in the radio-frequency band while power line EMF falls into the extremely low frequency range.

    Mobile Phone EMF

    • The EC report concludes that there is no evidence showing that EMF from mobile phones adversely affects human health, specifically with regard to brain tumors. The report concludes that, despite the absence of hard data supporting possible harmful effects, continued caution is advised. The data is particularly sparse regarding the effects of mobile phone EMF on children and for long-term exposure of over 10 years. The committee issuing the report plans to update it when such results become available.

    Power Line EMF

    • The EC committee published an earlier report in 2001. This report contained a conclusion that, based on childhood leukemia studies, EMF from power lines is possibly carcinogenic. The 2006 report refers to calculations and conclusions from the earlier work and confirms that the concerns expressed at that time are still valid. The report notes that the effects from the leukemia studies have not been duplicated in animal studies, and that there is no known mechanism for the influence of power line EMF on the development of leukemia.

    Other Exposure

    • In addition to the concerns reported by the EC for mobile phone and power line EMF, human beings are exposed to EMF from a wide range of other sources. Apart from power lines, the same frequencies are present in all households from the residential AC power supply, as well as from most appliances. The middle range of frequencies, which includes some Wi-Fi frequencies, and higher frequencies such as microwaves and radar, also contribute. In the U.S., the EPA has studied the EMF-health link since the 1990s but has not released definitive guidelines.

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