Abstract

Overview

This review summarizes the bioeffects of intermediate frequency electromagnetic fields (IF-EMF), focusing particularly on animal studies. It provides a comprehensive analysis of the health effects linked with IF-EMFs, as observed in murine models.

Findings

• Sources: Main sources of IF-EMF include industry applications such as dielectric heaters and broadcast transmitters, common household items like induction cookers, and medical devices in hospitals.
• Experimental Studies: Reviewed 38 experimental studies published between January 1988 and August 2021 from databases such as EMF Portal and PubMed. These studies used rats or mice to investigate effects like prolonged exposure, developmental stages, and tumorigenicity.
• Reported Effects: While most studies didn't show adverse effects, there were cases reporting harmful impacts on early development in mice, changes in neutrophil count, cytokines, and hormone concentrations, and alterations in brain mRNA or protein expression.

Conclusion

The review concludes that IF-EMF exposure within ICNRP reference levels generally does not produce harmful effects on animals. However, it acknowledges the need for further research using modern biomedical tools to comprehensively understand the potential risks of IF-EMF on human health.