Scoping Review of the Potential Health Effects of Exposure to Extremely Low-Frequency Electric and Magnetic Fields

Authors: Habash M, Gogna P, Krewski D, Habash RWY

Year: 2019

Category: Biomedical Engineering

Journal: Crit Rev Biomed Eng

DOI: 10.1615/CritRevBiomedEng.2019030211

URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31679262

Abstract

Overview

Previous studies have indicated that extremely low-frequency (ELF) electric and magnetic fields (EMFs) could potentially impact human health. However, the evidence from epidemiological studies remains inconsistent and inconclusive.

Findings

  • This scoping review synthesizes research from the ten-year period of 2007-2017, specifically examining the association between ELF EMFs and multiple health outcomes including cancer, cardiovascular disease (CVD), reproductive health effects, and neurodegenerative diseases.
  • A total of 361 articles sourced from bibliographic databases PubMed and EMBASE were reviewed, with 39 meeting the inclusion criteria. These studies were sub-categorized based on type of exposure: occupational (22 studies), residential (15 studies), and use of electric blankets (2 studies).
  • The review found limited but suggestive evidence associating ELF EMFs with neurodegenerative diseases, especially Alzheimer's disease. In contrast, findings regarding links to various cancers, CVD, and reproductive health outcomes remain less conclusive.

Conclusion

The review calls for further large-scale epidemiological studies with improved exposure assessments to better elucidate these inconclusive relationships and potential health risks related to ELF EMF exposure.

ELF EMF health effects neurodegenerative diseases cancer cardiovascular disease reproductive health
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