A review of effects of electromagnetic fields on ageing and ageing dependent bioeffects of electromagnetic fields

Overview

The rapid advancement of science and technology has led to a notable increase in human life expectancy. However, this has resulted in a rapidly ageing population, escalating the societal burden. Technological progress has also transformed the electromagnetic environment, introducing a significant increase in artificial electromagnetic fields (EMFs) from sources such as power lines, mobile phones, and wireless devices. The effects of EMFs on ageing and ageing-related diseases are receiving growing attention, but available information remains fragmented and insufficient.

Findings

• Few studies have directly investigated the effect of EMFs on ageing. This review analyzes the impact of EMFs on lifespan and cellular senescence, as well as age-dependent bioeffects and health impacts to discern whether ageing alters biological susceptibility to EMFs.
• Findings suggest EMFs may influence longevity and cellular senescence, but results are inconsistent and dependent on factors such as EMF frequency, intensity, wave shape, species, and cell type.
• Ageing impacts the biological and health effects of EMFs; the magnitude and nature of this impact varies with EMF types and health outcomes examined.
• Possible mechanisms for age-dependent responses to EMFs include changes in free radical metabolism, ion homeostasis, gene expression, enzyme activity, and the biophysical properties of aged tissues. These mechanisms are not yet fully elucidated.

Highlights

• EMF exposure influences lifespan, varying with EMF type and animal model.
• Extremely-low-frequency EMFs can affect cellular senescence depending on wave shape and magnetic density.
• Radio-frequency EMFs promote cellular senescence in a frequency- and intensity-dependent manner.
• EMF effects on health show notable age dependency.
• Health risk connection: Epidemiological evidence indicates that extremely-low-frequency EMFs are linked to a higher risk of neurodegenerative disease in older individuals, while radiofrequency EMFs are more strongly associated with carcinogenesis in younger age groups.

Conclusion

As ageing intensifies globally and environmental EMF exposure proliferates, understanding their combined effects on health is more crucial than ever. Although current knowledge is limited, evidence indicates that the state of ageing significantly influences the biological and health effects of EMF exposure. The connection between EMF exposure and health risks, including neurodegenerative disease and cancer, underscores the importance of further research to clarify mechanisms and guide safety standards.