Electromagnetic Fields: Insight into Sources, and Their Effects on Vital Organs and the Risk of Cancer

Abstract

Overview

Electromagnetic radiation is a prevalent new pollution source in our modern civilization, leading to widespread research into its biological effects. This review focuses on the sources of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and their implications on human health, particularly concerning organ function and cancer risk.

Sources of EMFs

• Natural Sources: Sun, distant stars, atmospheric discharges (e.g., thunder), human body.
• Unnatural Sources: Household appliances like printers, vacuum cleaners, and cellular phones, as well as larger infrastructures including airport wiring and mobile base stations.

Health Effects

Exposure to EMFs has been linked to a variety of health issues:

• Oxidative stress and DNA damage which can lead to cancers such as brain cancer and leukemia.
• Non-cancerous effects include headaches, chronic fatigue, gastrointestinal issues, and cognitive disturbances.
• Specific observations in animal studies, like decreased pain perception in mice and lens opacity in rats indicative of cataracts.

Conclusion

The review consolidates knowledge on the categorization of EMF sources and their broad biological effects, ranging from oxidative stress to increased tumor risk. The review underlines the necessity for continued research to understand these effects more comprehensively in both human and animal models.