Biological effects from electromagnetic field exposure and public exposure standards

Abstract

During recent years there has been increasing public concern on potential health risks from power-frequency fields (extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields; ELF) and from radiofrequency/microwave radiation emissions (RF) from wireless communications. Non-thermal (low-intensity) biological effects have not been considered for regulation of microwave exposure, although numerous scientific reports indicate such effects. The BioInitiative Report is based on an international research and public policy initiative to give an overview of what is known of biological effects that occur at low-intensity electromagnetic fields (EMFs) exposure. Health endpoints reported to be associated with ELF and/or RF include childhood leukaemia, brain tumours, genotoxic effects, neurological effects and neurodegenerative diseases, immune system deregulation, allergic and inflammatory responses, breast cancer, miscarriage and some cardiovascular effects. The BioInitiative Report concluded that a reasonable suspicion of risk exists based on clear evidence of bioeffects at environmentally relevant levels, which, with prolonged exposures may reasonably be presumed to result in health impacts. Regarding ELF a new lower public safety limit for habitable space adjacent to all new or upgraded power lines and for all other new constructions should be applied. A new lower limit should also be used for existing habitable space for children and/or women who are pregnant. A precautionary limit should be adopted for outdoor, cumulative RF exposure and for cumulative indoor RF fields with considerably lower limits than existing guidelines, see the BioInitiative Report. The current guidelines for the US and European microwave exposure from mobile phones, for the brain are 1.6 W/Kg and 2 W/Kg, respectively. Since use of mobile phones is associated with an increased risk for brain tumour after 10 years, a new biologically based guideline is warranted. Other health impacts associated with exposure to electromagnetic fields not summarized here may be found in the BioInitiative Report at bioinitiative.org.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

This article discusses reported low-intensity (non-thermal) biological effects from ELF and RF/microwave exposures and summarizes conclusions and recommendations attributed to the BioInitiative Report. It states that the BioInitiative Report concluded there is a reasonable suspicion of risk at environmentally relevant exposure levels and recommends substantially lower public exposure limits for ELF near power lines and for cumulative RF exposures, and argues that mobile phone use is associated with increased brain tumor risk after 10 years, warranting new biologically based guidelines.

Outcomes measured

• childhood leukaemia
• brain tumours
• genotoxic effects
• neurological effects
• neurodegenerative diseases
• immune system deregulation
• allergic responses
• inflammatory responses
• breast cancer
• miscarriage
• cardiovascular effects

Limitations

• Narrative overview referencing the BioInitiative Report; no primary study methods, inclusion criteria, or quantitative synthesis described in the abstract
• Specific exposure metrics (frequencies, field strengths) and effect sizes are not provided in the abstract

Suggested hubs

• who-icnirp (0.62)
  Discusses public exposure standards/guidelines for microwave exposure and argues for lower limits than existing guidelines.
• occupational-exposure (0)
• 5g-policy (0)
• school-wi-fi (0)
• smart-meters (0)

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        "source": "power lines and wireless communications/mobile phones",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "prolonged exposures; mobile phone use after 10 years"
    },
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    "outcomes": [
        "childhood leukaemia",
        "brain tumours",
        "genotoxic effects",
        "neurological effects",
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        "immune system deregulation",
        "allergic responses",
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        "cardiovascular effects"
    ],
    "main_findings": "This article discusses reported low-intensity (non-thermal) biological effects from ELF and RF/microwave exposures and summarizes conclusions and recommendations attributed to the BioInitiative Report. It states that the BioInitiative Report concluded there is a reasonable suspicion of risk at environmentally relevant exposure levels and recommends substantially lower public exposure limits for ELF near power lines and for cumulative RF exposures, and argues that mobile phone use is associated with increased brain tumor risk after 10 years, warranting new biologically based guidelines.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Narrative overview referencing the BioInitiative Report; no primary study methods, inclusion criteria, or quantitative synthesis described in the abstract",
        "Specific exposure metrics (frequencies, field strengths) and effect sizes are not provided in the abstract"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
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        "wireless communications",
        "mobile phones",
        "power lines",
        "non-thermal effects",
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        "public exposure standards",
        "precautionary limits",
        "brain tumour",
        "childhood leukaemia"
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}

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