Other health effects

• What adverse health effects other than cancer have been associated with exposure to EMF?
• What about neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease? 
• Are there differences in people's sensitivity to EMFs? 
• What about the corona effects of power lines and pollution? 
• What about the effect of EMFs on melatonin and breast cancer?

What Adverse Health Effects Other Than Cancer Have Been Associated with Exposure to EMF?

Many other adverse health effects are claimed to be associated with power frequency electromagnetic fields. These include miscarriages, reproductive and developmental abnormalities, depression and suicide, allergy and neurological disease. However there is little scientific evidence to support these claims and the current body of evidence does not show that exposure to EMF below guideline levels presents a human health hazard.

What about Neurological Disorders Such as Alzheimer's Disease?

A number of studies have suggested associations with neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease. These observations only provide hypotheses that need to be examined by further testing. A review of the possible effect of EMF on neurological disorders was issued by AGNIR in 2001. There is further reading avalible on this subject from the Advisory Group on Non-Ionising Radiation.

 

Are There Differences in People's Sensitivity to EMFs?

In the case of some effects, there are differences in susceptibility, for example, the threshold for perception of electric fields at very high field strengths. In addition, some people claim to be sensitive to EMFs even at levels found commonly in the home – so-called electrical sensitivity. They suffer from a range of symptoms that can intrude on their daily lives. However there is little scientific evidence demonstrating that it is the EMF exposure that causes the symptoms. Nevertheless effective treatments need to be found as well as further investigation into the causes of these symptoms.

HPA has published a report on the definition, epidemiology and management of electrical sensitivity.

What about the Corona Effects of Power Lines and Pollution?

Indirect effects of electric fields have been considered to arise from changes in the concentration and deposition of particles including radon decay products and other environmental pollutants in the presence of corona ions found in the vicinity of power lines. The physical principle for aerosol deposition in large electric fields is well understood. AGNIR has concluded that whether any such enhanced deposition will increase human exposure in a way that will result in adverse health effects to the general public has not been demonstrated. The Advisory Group has however recommended that consideration needs to be given to the possible effects that might result from the dispersal of corona ions and the way any such effect might be assessed.

An ad hoc group of AGNIR, chaired by Professor Lawrie Challis, has made an assessment of the possible effects of corona ions generated by power lines on exposures to atmospheric pollutants and AGNIR has considered the possible implications for health.

What about the effect of EMFs on melatonin and breast cancer?

This subject is considered in a report from the HPA Advisory Group on Non-ionising Radiation (AGNIR).

 

Last reviewed: 8 September 2008