Review article
Exposure to low-frequency electromagnetic fields and the process of carcinogenesis
Verica Garaj-Vrhovac
; Institut za medicinska istraživanja i medicinu rada, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Abstract
In the literature as well as in public media increasing attention is paid to possible health effects of exposure to low-frequency electric and magnetic fields. Experimental studies at the cellular level and mammalian studies in vivo have demonstrated various biological effects that are possibly associated with human exposure to low-frequency radiation. Although the exact mechanism of this relationship is not entirely clear, it has been indicated that low-frequency radiation might promote the process ol carcinogenesis, although it does not seem likely to initiate it. A possible link between human low-frequency exposure and occurrence of carcinoma at child and adult age has been examined in some fifty epidemiological studies. A few studies have demonstrated a possible connection between carcinoma at child age and distance from electrical installations. Although the results point to an association between exposure to low-frequency electric and magnetic fields and cancer, further research is called for. In the meantime "cautious avoidance" of extended exposure to low-frequency electromagnetic fields is recommended.
Keywords
adult populations; carcinoma; child age; epidemiological investigation; laboratory study; non-ionising radiation
Hrčak ID:
144830
URI
Publication date:
18.12.1996.
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