What effects do magnetic fields have on health?

2001/11/04 Imaz Amiano, Eneko - Elhuyar Zientziaren Komunikazioa

• Osasuna
• Fisika

Experts want to determine the influence of the magnetic field generated by the power lines of thousands of kilometers.

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Electromagnetic fields are actually also present in nature. Just as gravity produces the gravitational field, the electric charges present in the ionosphere generate a natural electric field. And the movement of electric charges in the core of the Earth generates the electromagnetic field of the Earth.

Limiting influence of electric field to the person is not difficult. It is obtained by placing any structure. When the field is magnetic, on the contrary, it is not possible to obtain isolation (the magnetic field created in the core of the Earth crosses the Earth in its entirety). Therefore, most research is carried out in relation to the effects of magnetic fields.

Do electromagnetic fields affect health?

On the
ground the magnetic field is constant and increases with electrical appliances. Therefore, doses must be redone, although there is no agreement when setting the limit of the harmful dose.

Under the influence of electromagnetic fields, the body's own electrical charges move into electrical currents within the body. Although the amount of these currents may depend on many agents, in general, it seems to be inferior to those that the body produces naturally. This does not mean that those exposed to electromagnetic fields do not notice anything; specifically, itching can be felt (when the current intensity is high) and light glimmers before the eyes.

The nuances, with a different degree of concreteness, with a different attitude, would correspond to what has been stated so far. However, discrepancies arise after the following question: electromagnetic fields have health effects?

Electrical appliances increase the magnetic field.

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The Spanish Electrical Companies Association has a report with information and opinion on it. According to this report, scientists have not been able to prove that electromagnetic fields are harmful to health, but no one has proven otherwise. According to electricity, certain laboratory tests have shown a certain relationship between electromagnetic fields and biological effects.

In laboratory trials with isolated cells ( In vitro) it has been studied whether electromagnetic fields are capable of producing changes in genes. According to studies, electromagnetic fields do not appear to have the ability to produce changes in genes. Tests have also been conducted to check if they produce other effects on cells: if they alter the movement of ions, if they reduce the rate of protein production, if cells react to hormones, if they change the characteristics of the immune system, etc. A unitary result has not been achieved, since sometimes there have been changes and in others not, but contradictory results.

Neither of the research in vivo (with rats, hamsters and sheep) has come to a clear conclusion. In the case of sheep no change was observed, while in the case of rats and hamsters a possible decrease in the production of melatonin has been detected. Melatonin influences animal sexual activity, behavior, and other physiological functions. This reduction in production was observed in electromagnetic fields of more than 100 teslas.

Without determining the possible health condition of these areas.

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In addition to laboratory tests, in recent times other research has been conducted to check if there is any relationship between health problems and electromagnetic fields generated in workplaces. These studies have been conducted in several countries and electrical companies claim that, in general, no direct connection is appreciated. However, in Sweden, for example, women have limited working time against computers due to the danger of abortion. The International Committee on Labour Security, while not seeing the need to modify working situations or procedures, does not refuse to follow up on this.

Growing concerns

The current view that electromagnetic fields have to do with increasingly widespread diseases such as cancer is being reinforced.

The European Union itself proposed, in July 1998, the shortest possible time for exposure to artificial electromagnetic fields. Based on this proposal, high-voltage power lines, rail networks and radiations of electrical appliances can produce electrical shock, surface problems and nervous and heart problems.

Another example is the work done by the Institute of Safety and Hygiene at the Workplace. This institute has classified electromagnetic spectra as follows:

• Static electric and magnetic fields (magnets, DC conductors…).
• Very low frequency electromagnetic waves (AC power lines…).
• Low frequency electromagnetic waves (induction welding machines).
• Electromagnetic radio frequency waves (radio and television waves, plastic welding…).
• Microwave (microwave ovens, mobile phones…).
• Infrared (infrared light, incandescent material…).
• Light (bulbs…).
• Ultraviolet (solar lamps, industrial sunscreens…).

And from this table, he has contributed various conclusions. According to the Institute of Safety and Hygiene of the workplace, the radiations present in the electromagnetic spectrum are not ionizing, since they are not able to modify the structure of atoms or molecules. However, ultraviolet radiation is capable of producing superficial problems and conjunctivitis, while infrared radiation is capable of damaging the retina of the eyes. Finally, they say that microwaves are extremely dangerous because they act on the water molecules in the tissues.

Also noteworthy is the report "Electromagnetic fields and human health ½", issued by researchers from around the world. According to the summary of conclusions, they highlight:

• Electromagnetic fields created by alternating currents have some biological influence, although the mechanism is not known and the possible damage has not been correctly checked.
• It has not been proven that magnetic fields have to do with reproductive problems, or with malformations or behavioral changes.
• As for the different types of cancer (mainly leukemia and brain), there are no total results. Therefore, it cannot be said that they are related or not. The impact on adults has not been constant or repetitive, while studies with children show a slight upward trend in the risk of leukemia.
• Human beings are exposed at all times to electromagnetic fields.
• Until the problem is resolved, it is recommended to move away from electromagnetic fields as a precautionary measure, not by danger.
• The media, in general, offer more echo than enough to the influence of electromagnetic fields and discourage things.
• At the moment, there are no deep reasons to put the international border.
• Electromagnetic fields can be useful and beneficial in medicine, for example for the realization of magnetic resonances.
• Electromagnetic fields need to be investigated more and better.

CEM project, international project

As you can see, things are not clear about the relationship between electromagnetic fields and health problems. Therefore, in May 1996, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched a project called CMS to detect the relationship between electromagnetic fields and health problems. The project, which ends this year, aims, in addition to clarifying the issue of linking/rupture, to end the confusion of the different lines of research existing in the matter.

For this it has several small objectives:

• Analyze scientific research on electromagnetic fields.
• Identify the most unknown aspects of research to determine where health risks come from.
• Promote a specific high quality research program on electromagnetic fields.
• Assess the health risks of electromagnetic fields during the conduct of the cited research.
• International approval of the unified regulations on electromagnetic fields.
• Information on risks, management, communication and perception.

According to the World Health Organization, the implementation of the project is very important for everyone to act with the same standards (for example, in some USSR countries the limits of electromagnetic radiation are 100 times higher than in other countries).

In any case, more and more rules and limits are in this respect. There are also sentences that have ordered the removal of the transformer installed in a home for health problems.

Published in the supplement Natura de Gara.