Cancer in General Child Leukemia Breast Cancer Miscarriages Suicide

Summary

(See above links for more information)

EMF and Specific Diseases

The California Project covered the current status of many diseases on a disease by disease basis.  Additional studies are listed below.

Cancer (breast cancer-see below)

A Working Group organized by the NIEHS with support of the EMF Research and Public Information Dissemination (EMFRAPID ) Program classified EMF as a Group 2B, "possible" carcinogen using the standards promulgated by the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). 

The full IARC June validated in June 2001 the Working Group's finding that EMF is a Group 2B, "Possible Carcinogen."  Most governments restrict human access to substances similarly classified.

The World Health Organization has changed its views on ELF-EMF. In an October 3,2001, Fact Sheet, the WHO recommends that power line  "siting decisions should also consider ways to reduce peoples' exposure [in addition to considering aesthetics and people's sensibilities].". In its previous 1998 Fact Sheet, the WHO had stated that "ELF field levels around transmission and distribution lines are not considered a health risk."

The United Kingdom Childhood Cancer Study (UKCCS) was published in a December, 1999, edition of the British medical journal, The Lancet.  The UKCCS  concluded it could not find a relationship between EMF and Cancer.  Interestingly, The Lancet published a Commentary in the very same issue accusing the UKCCS of using outdated methodology and an insufficiently large sample size.  The Commentary must have been correct, because the UKCCS' principle researcher, Nicholas Day, revisited his data in the subsequent British Journal study, and concluded the UKCCS did find a relationship between ELF and cancer.

An important new study was released this year that suggests another mechanism between cancer and power lines.  Whereas previous studies had found a relationship between cancer and the EMF emitted by power lines, the new study found a potential causal mechanism based on the electric fields radiated by the lines.  Dennis Henshaw of Bristol University authored the study, which was reported in the Sunday Times of London and published in the International Journal of Radiation.  

The original  research has been validated by epidemiological studies also conducted at Bristol University.

An important new study finds that EMF of the type and intensity emitted by power lines can cause cells to react in the same way the act when they become cancerous.  The Journal, Environmental Health Perspectives, is published jointly by the National Institute of Health and the federal Department of Health and Human Services.  

A major critical review of recent studies has just appeared in Canada's National Research Council publication, Environmental Reviews.  The research was conducted before the publication of the British Journal Study reversing the findings of the 1997 NRC study.  Nevertheless, the author concludes, "After several years of trying to make sense of data from diverse fields, I have become increasingly convinced that electric and magnetic fields do affect living systems; that these effects...can occur and low frequencies and low intensities...."

The electric utilities research arm, the EPRI, suppressed in 1997 a study conducted on its behalf that showed a strong stress interaction between cells and low-level EMF.  If verified, such an interaction would be a "smoking gun" linking EMF and a host of diseases.  Nevertheless, the EPRI never conducted the follow-up studies its own staff recommended, nor did it ever again provide research support to the study's lead researcher.

A January 2002 study suggest magnetic fields may promote cancer by impairing apoptosis, the cellular self-destruction mechanism that normally prevents precancerous cells from becoming malignant.

A new German study suggests that the nighttime exposure to EMF is more serious than daytime exposure.  According to the author, Dr. Joachim Schüz, "[There is] "a clear dose-responsive relationship [for nighttime exposures]"

A report by the Washington State Department of Health suggests EMF is a key cause of the four-fold increase in the incidence of childhood leukemia between 1920 and 1960.  The authors, Milham and Ossiander, write, "The most remarkable feature of childhood leukemia has been the development of a childhood peak of incidence at ages two through four....Worldwide, the emergence of this peak tracks electrification.  Even today, places without electrification do not show this peak."  (See attached charts)

An important study finds that EMF of the type and intensity emitted by power lines can cause cells to react in the same way the act when they become cancerous.  The Journal, Environmental Health Perspectives, is published jointly by the National Institute of Health and the federal Department of Health and Human Services. 

A pooled analysis of raw data from nine different electromagnetic filed studies has found that children exposed to 4 mG or more were twice as likely to develop leukemia as children not exposed to this level of EMF.  Here is the abstract of the study from the British Journal of Cancer.  We also have two analyses from the Microwave News in which it is concluded that there is a "clear and consistent patter of significant risks for average exposures above 4 mG."  There is also a commentary on the risks for children exposed to such high exposures also reproduced in the September/October 2000 issue of Microwave News.  

The electric utilities research arm, the EPRI, suppressed in 1997 a study conducted on its behalf that showed a strong stress interaction between cells and low-level EMF.  If verified, such an interaction would be a "smoking gun" linking EMF and a host of diseases.  Nevertheless, the EPRI never conducted the follow-up studies its own staff recommended, nor did it ever again provide research support to the study's lead researcher. 

A January 2002 study suggest magnetic fields may promote cancer by impairing apoptosis, the cellular self-destruction mechanism that normally prevents precancerous cells from becoming malignant.

A German study suggests that the nighttime exposure to EMF is more serious than daytime exposure.  According to the author, Dr. Joachim Schüz, "[There is] "a clear dose-responsive relationship [for nighttime exposures]"

The National Energy Policy Act of 1992 authorized the Department of Energy to jointly fund, with the utility industry,  a $45 million, five-year research study to ascertain the effects of EMF from Power lines on human health (EMFRAPID program). 

The Japanese news service reports that new Japanese study finds that EMF is linked to children's brain cancer.  This is part of a three-year research effort into the impact of EMF being conducted by the former Japanese Science and Technology Agency, now part of the education ministry.

In June, 1999, the Institute released its final report. 

This report concludes in relevant part that "NIEHS suggests that the power industry continue its current practice of siting power lines to reduce exposures." There is no way that "siting power lines to reduce exposures" can mean anything but burying them or moving them so that they are more than 200 feet away from homes.

However, in general, the NIEHS study downplayed the risks of EMF.  These findings have been in effect overturned by the British Journal Study and by Daniel Wartenberg's publications.  (Wartenberg was in charge of the EMFRapid research efforts.)

Childhood Leukemia  (See also the Microwave News review of the epidemiological evidence)

Childhood and adult leukemia is covered in a chapter of the California EMF Projects draft report.  Here are other reports.

The National Research Council conducted a landmark study, Possible Health Effects of Exposure to Residential Electric and Magnetic Fields Possible Health Effects of Exposure to Residential Electric and Magnetic Fields (1997).  Although this study is reputed as not finding a link between cancer and EMF, in fact this is not true.  This study concludes in relevant part that:.  Although this study is reputed as not finding a link between cancer and EMF, in fact this is not true.  This study concludes in relevant part that:

However, as shown below, the original author of this study now concludes the study's data did demonstrate an association between EMF and Cancer.  Also, this study was also strongly critiqued on a new review published by Canada's National Research Council.

The UK National Radiological Protection Board has finds that "Recent large and well-conducted studies have provided better evidence than was available in the past on the relationship between power frequency magnetic field exposure and the risk of cancer. Taken in conjunction they suggest that relatively heavy average exposures of 0.4 µT or more are associated with a doubling of the risk of leukaemia in children under 15 years of age."  This represents a dramatic change for the NRPB, which previously quoted the UKCCS study, which "did not find that the risk of childhood cancer is associated with the strength of magnetic fields from the electricity supply."  (The UKCCS findings have subsequently been reversed.)

Daniel Wartenberg of the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School discussed the relationship between EMF and childhood leukemia in a study commissioned by the California EMF project.  He concluded, "Many people believe there are no data to support an association between residential magnetic field exposure and childhood leukemia.  To the contrary, the data strongly and relatively consistently support such an association."

A pool analysis of raw data from nine different electromagnetic filed studies has found that children exposed to 4 mG or more were twice as likely to develop leukemia as children not exposed to this level of EMF.  Here is the abstract of the study from the British Journal of Cancer.  We also have two analyses from the Microwave News in which it is concluded that there is a "clear and consistent patter of significant risks for average exposures above 4 mG."  There is also a commentary on the risks for children exposed to such high exposures also reproduced in the September/October issue of Microwave News.  

A report by the Washington State Department of Health suggests EMF is a key cause of the four-fold increase in the incidence of childhood leukemia between 1920 and 1960.  The authors, Milham and Ossiander, write, "The most remarkable feature of childhood leukemia has been the development of a childhood peak of incidence at ages two through four....Worldwide, the emergence of this peak tracks electrification.  Even today, places without electrification do not show this peak."  (See attached charts)

Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer is covered in depth in the breast cancer chapter of the California EMF Project report.  Here are additional studies.

TC Erren from Cologne University in Germany reviewed the literature on Breast Cancer.  According to Dr. Erren, "Collectively...the data are consistent with the idea that exposures to EMF are associated with some increase in breast cancer risks, albeit that the excess risk is small."

A Japanese study published in July 2001, concludes that EMF greater than 12 mG interferes with melatonin's ability to inhibit the formation of cancer, particularly breast cancer. This effect has been observed in many studies conducted since 1992.  However, some of the previous studies showed inconsistent in vitro results.  This study determined that some experimental cell lines were more sensitive to EMF than others. thereby explaining the previous inconsistent results and demonstrating conclusively EMF's adverse impact on melatonin's anti-cancer properties.

On the other hand, a study published in November 2001 found no relationship between electric blanket use and breast cancer.

A December 2001 study shows magnetic fields can induce breast cancer in rats.  The study concludes, "Even though the effects of the MF (Magnetic Field) exposure seen in our experiments were small, MF effects of similar magnitude in human population would represent a critical adverse health effect because of the high incidence of female breast cancer."

Here is an October 3 2002 Toronto Star article that reviews the factors (including EMF) that increase the risk of contracting breast cancer.

Miscarriages

Miscarriages are covered in depth in the miscarriage chapter of the California Project report.  The report concludes that up to 40% of all early-term spontaneous abortions may be attributable to EMF.  There are some other key findings.

A paper prepared by G. M. Lee published in the January 2002 issue of Epidemiology finds a strong correlation between elevated magnetic fields and miscarriages.  The Lee paper led to a follow-up study by Dr. De-Kun Li that finds that even momentary exposure to magnetic fields greater than 16 mG leads to a three-fold increase in overall spontaneous abortions and a six-fold increase in spontaneous abortions occurring before the 10th week of pregnancy.  This follow-up paper is printed in the same journal. Both reports were published as part of the California EMF's project scientific evaluation. A letter in the same journal by David Savitz speculates that the studies may be identifying another phenomenon: women with miscarriages have less nausea, and are therefore more likely to experience high-intensity magnetic fields. The papers have recently been discussed in a newspaper article.   Li has responded to the Savitz criticism (March 2002 Epidemiology) by noting that the issue of nausea was covered and discounted n the research and Savitz has responded yet again suggesting that it might be accounted by some other, unknown factors.

Does EMF lead to miscarriages?  Both the NIH study reference above and the National Academy Study also referenced above review the relationship between exposure to EMF from transmission power lines and miscarriages.  Probably because it is extraordinarily rare for electric companies to operate power lines that radiate high EMF into private homes, the two reviews found only a few relevant studies.  All of the studies identified by the NIH and the National Academy found statistically significant relationships between EMF from power lines and miscarriages.

Brain Cancer

The subject of childhood and adult brain cancer is extensively covered in the brain cancer chapter of the California Project draft report.  Here is an important study that came out after that report was completed.

Dr. Paul Vailleneuve of the University of Ottawa finds in study published in February 2002 that those who were exposed to a moderate 6mG of magnetic fields increased by a factor of 12 their odds of developing an agressive brain tumor know as glioblastoma multiforme.

Suicide

A large and detailed 2000 study of the possible link between exposure to low frequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and suicide among electric utility workers has uncovered what appears to be a distinct association.