Abstract

Overview

In recent years, the prevalence of devices emitting intermediate-frequency electromagnetic fields (IF-EMFs), such as induction heating cookers, has been on the rise. These developments necessitate a thorough understanding of the potential health impacts of IF-EMFs.

Findings

• The study analyzes the correlation between the usage of induction heating cookers and various birth outcomes across all 47 prefectures in Japan.
• Outcomes measured include spontaneous fetal death rate, fetal death rate post 22 weeks of pregnancy, perinatal mortality rate, and prevalence of newborns with low birth weight.
• A weak positive association was observed between the penetration of induction heating cookers and the fetal death rate after 22 weeks of pregnancy, although it was not statistically significant (r = 0.27, p = 0.07).
• Conversely, a weak negative association was found between cooker use and spontaneous fetal death rate, which also lacked statistical significance (r = -0.27, p = 0.07).

Conclusion

The study did not find statistically significant evidence associating the use of induction heating cookers with adverse birth outcomes. However, the detection of weak associations suggests that further research, possibly with different epidemiological methodologies, is essential to conclusively determine the safety and effects of induction cooking technologies on health.