Genetic effects of non-ionizing electromagnetic fields

PAPER manual Electromagn Biol Med 2021 Review Effect: harm Evidence: Low

Read original paper → DOI: 10.1080/15368378.2021.1881866 Evidence Lab

Abstract

Review: Genetic effects of non-ionizing electromagnetic fields Henry Lai. Genetic effects of non-ionizing electromagnetic fields. Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine. Published online: 04 Feb 2021. doi: 10.1080/15368378.2021.1881866 Abstract This is a review of the research on the genetic effects of non-ionizing electromagnetic field (EMF), mainly on radiofrequency radiation (RFR) and static and extremely low frequency EMF (ELF-EMF). The majority of the studies are on genotoxicity (e.g., DNA damage, chromatin conformation changes, etc.) and gene expression. Genetic effects of EMF depend on various factors, including field parameters and characteristics (frequency, intensity, wave-shape), cell type, and exposure duration. The types of gene expression affected (e.g., genes involved in cell cycle arrest, apoptosis and stress responses, heat-shock proteins) are consistent with the findings that EMF causes genetic damages. Many studies reported effects in cells and animals after exposure to EMF at intensities similar to those in the public and occupational environments. The mechanisms by which effects are induced by EMF are basically unknown. Involvement of free radicals is a likely possibility. EMF also interacts synergistically with different entities on genetic functions. Interactions, particularly with chemotherapeutic compounds, raise the possibility of using EMF as an adjuvant for cancer treatment to increase the efficacy and decrease side effects of traditional chemotherapeutic drugs. Other data, such as adaptive effects and mitotic spindle aberrations after EMF exposure, further support the notion that EMF causes genetic effects in living organisms. tandfonline.com For excerpts from this paper see: saferemr.com

AI evidence extraction

At a glance

Study type

Review

Effect direction

harm

Population

—

Sample size

—

Exposure

other

Evidence strength

Low

Confidence: 88% · Peer-reviewed: yes

Main findings

This review summarizes research on genetic effects of non-ionizing EMF, mainly radiofrequency radiation and static/extremely low frequency EMF. It reports that many studies found genotoxic and gene-expression effects in cells and animals, including at intensities similar to public and occupational exposures, while noting that mechanisms are basically unknown and may involve free radicals.

Outcomes measured

genotoxicity
DNA damage
chromatin conformation changes
gene expression
cell cycle arrest-related genes
apoptosis-related genes
stress response genes
heat-shock proteins
adaptive effects
mitotic spindle aberrations

Limitations

Review article rather than a primary study
Mechanisms are basically unknown
Effects are described as depending on field parameters, cell type, and exposure duration

Suggested hubs

occupational-exposure (0.61)
Abstract mentions intensities similar to occupational environments.

View raw extracted JSON

{
    "study_type": "review",
    "exposure": {
        "band": null,
        "source": "other",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": null,
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "genotoxicity",
        "DNA damage",
        "chromatin conformation changes",
        "gene expression",
        "cell cycle arrest-related genes",
        "apoptosis-related genes",
        "stress response genes",
        "heat-shock proteins",
        "adaptive effects",
        "mitotic spindle aberrations"
    ],
    "main_findings": "This review summarizes research on genetic effects of non-ionizing EMF, mainly radiofrequency radiation and static/extremely low frequency EMF. It reports that many studies found genotoxic and gene-expression effects in cells and animals, including at intensities similar to public and occupational exposures, while noting that mechanisms are basically unknown and may involve free radicals.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Review article rather than a primary study",
        "Mechanisms are basically unknown",
        "Effects are described as depending on field parameters, cell type, and exposure duration"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.88000000000000000444089209850062616169452667236328125,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "non-ionizing electromagnetic fields",
        "radiofrequency radiation",
        "RFR",
        "ELF-EMF",
        "static fields",
        "genotoxicity",
        "DNA damage",
        "gene expression",
        "free radicals",
        "chromatin conformation"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "occupational-exposure",
            "weight": 0.60999999999999998667732370449812151491641998291015625,
            "reason": "Abstract mentions intensities similar to occupational environments."
        }
    ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract/metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.

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