Powerlines, Magnetic field and Extremely Low Frequency Fields

Powerlines are a source of residential exposure to magnetic field electromagnetic radiation (EMF). Repeated research studies for decades have associated magnetic field  power-line frequency ELF-EMF  from power lines to a type of childhood leukemia. The electric and magnetic fields of ELF-EMF are created where ever electricity runs. Sources also include appliances, motors, electric cords, alarm clocks, utility meters and electric grid facilities.

Cancer

A 2022 systematic review and meta-analysis published in Reviews on Environmental Health concluded that prolonged exposure to magnetic field electromagnetic fields is linked to a type of childhood leukemia. Decades of research indicates magnetic fields are associated with cancer. The researchers found magnetic field extremely low frequency field levels higher than 0.4 microtesla (4 milligauss) “can increase the risk of developing leukemia in children, probably acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Prolonged exposure to electric appliances that generate magnetic fields higher than 0.4 µT like electric blankets is associated with a greater risk of childhood leukemia.” 

David Carpenter MD Director of the Institute for Health and the Environment at the University at Albany has published  research  that found that source of funding impacted study findings and when bias was addressed, “the evidence that magnetic fields increase risk of cancer is neither inconsistent nor inconclusive. Furthermore adults are also at risk, not just children, and there is strong evidence for cancers in addition to leukemia, particularly brain and breast cancer.”

In 2001 the  International Agency for Research on Cancer concluded that exposure to power-line frequency ELF-EMF is a “possible” human carcinogen- a decision based largely evidence of an increased risk for childhood leukemias with residential exposure. This classification was based on pooled analyses of epidemiological studies demonstrating a consistent pattern of a two-fold increase in childhood leukaemia associated with average exposure to residential power-frequency magnetic field above 3 to 4 milligauss magnetic field. The studies linking magnetic fields to child hood cancer has only increased since this date.

A 2021 meta-analysis which identified 33 studies were identified concluded “significant associations were observed between exposure to ELF-MFs and childhood leukemia. Furthermore, a possible dose-response effect was also observed.”

The study Residential extremely low frequency magnetic fields and skin cancer published in Occupational and Environmental Medicine concluded that, “The results of this study suggested an association between childhood ELF MF exposure and adult melanoma. This is in agreement with previous findings suggesting that the carcinogenic effects of ELF MFs may be associated particularly with childhood exposure.”

Studies by the Ramazzini Institute  “Life-span exposure to sinusoidal-50 Hz magnetic field and acute low-dose γ radiation induce carcinogenic effects in Sprague-Dawley rats” (2016) found that  ELF exposed rats had statistically significant increased incidence of several type of malignant tumors when combined with a known carcinogen.

Brain Tumors

In addition to leukemia, research is documenting other effects. The journal Environmental Research published a 2020 study entitled “Residential proximity to power lines and risk of brain tumor in the general population” which found an increased risk of brain tumors was associated with living near power lines.

Miscarriage and Prenatal Impacts

Kaiser Permanente researchers have published several studies linking pregnant women’s exposure to magnetic field electromagnetic fields to not only increased miscarriage and but also increased ADHD,  obesity and asthma  in the woman’s prenatally exposed children.

A 2020 systematic review and meta-analysis concluded that exposure was associated with increased risk of miscarriage in the first trimester of pregnancy. The authors conclude, “It may be prudent to advise women against this potentially important environmental hazard. Indeed, pregnant women should receive tailored counselling.”

Associations with Dementia

A National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health funded study Severe Cognitive Dysfunction and Occupational Extremely Low Frequency Magnetic Field Exposure among Elderly Mexican Americans found that that Mexican Americans working in an occupation with medium high or high exposure to magnetic fields was associated with increased risk of severe cognitive dysfunction especially among older participants and those with a history of smoking.  The researchers highlight how studies on both psychological stress and higher chronic occupational exposure have found increased amyloid beta production and lowered melatonin levels. They conclude that, consequently, higher chronic occupational magnetic field exposure and psychosocial stress “may act jointly to increase the likelihood of severe cognitive dysfunction, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease.” 

The authors present biologically plausible hypotheses for the association. One, that significant long-term exposure may lead to increased of amyloid beta (Aβ) in the brain sufficient to overwhelm the brain’s ability to breakdown and/or transport the Aβ out of the brain, leading to the development of AD. Second, that dementias associated with neuronal death, perhaps due to oxidative stress, may, in part, be caused by chronic low levels of melatonin related to long-term exposure to moderate or high levels of occupational or residential MF. 

On Induction Cookers

A 2020 case control study of over 2000 pregnant women found that higher exposure to common electrical appliances such as computers,  induction cookers  and microwave ovens during their early pregnancy was associated with  a higher risk of birth to infants with congenital heart disease. However another 2021 “Maternal Use of Induction Heating Cookers During Pregnancy and Birth Outcomes: The Kyushu Okinawa Maternal and Child Health Study” found “IH cooker use during pregnancy was independently associated with a reduced risk of preterm birth (PTB).” The study “Risk of congenital heart disease due to exposure to common electrical appliances during early pregnancy: a case-control study” observed that mothers exposed to computers, induction cookers, and microwave ovens, during early pregnancy were more likely to give birth to infants with congenital heart disease (CHD)…Our study confirmed that exposure to some electrical appliances was associated with a higher risk of CHD, and wearing a radiation protection suit was associated with a lower risk of CHD. Women should therefore reduce the usage of electrical appliances before and during pregnancy.” 

Many Countries Have Protective Policy

Over a dozen countries already have some level of protective policy in place regarding this type of electromagnetic radiation. The countries of Croatia, Finland, France, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, Belgium (Wallonia, Flanders) Denmark, Liechtenstein, Luxemburg, Lithuania, Poland have a magnetic field radiation limit for  “sensitive areas” far far lower than ICNIRP.  Sensitive areas are generally defined as areas where children live and play such as schools, kindergartens or recreation areas. Sometimes the definition includes hospitals and residential areas. These countries’ magnetic field EMF limits are 3 or 4 milligauss, the level of milligauss associated with childhood leukemia in repeated published studies. However ICNIRP recommends a residential magnetic field exposure limit of 2,000 milligauss (mG) and an occupational exposure limit of 10,000 mG.

The United States has no limit on legal levels of milligauss electromagnetic radiation. However the California Department of Education enacted a regulation to  require minimum distances between new schools and the edge of a transmission line “right-of-way.”

2020 research investigating ELF-EMF levels in schools has found exposure at students’ seat positions was mostly caused by electrical appliances, electronic wiring, and distribution boxes and the authors conclude that, “it is important to design safe and appropriate environments for digital learning in schools, such as proper seating arrangements, to avoid ELF-EMFs exposure to students as much as possible.”

ANSES 2019 Report: Health effects associated with exposure to low-frequency electromagnetic fields

• Recommendation not to build new facilities attended by vulnerable people (hospitals, schools, etc.) immediately next to very-high voltage power lines, or running new power lines over these facilities as well as limiting exposure.  
• Stresses the need to better manage occupational exposure for employees who could be exposed to high levels of electromagnetic fields, particularly pregnant women.  In some scenarios of occupational exposure, it has been shown that the induced current density in the foetus may exceed the limits recommended for the general public.
• In 2010, ANSES underlined a convergence in epidemiological studies showing an association between the occurrence of childhood leukaemia and exposure to low-frequency magnetic fields at levels exceeding 0.2 µT or 0.4 µT. In the light of new data, the Agency is confirming the “limited” level of evidence associated with this long-term effect. 

Selected Publications Showing Magnetic Field EMFS and ELF have adverse effects at levels below ICNIRP Limits.

World Health Organization/ International Agency for Research on Cancer 2001 Classification 

International Agency for Research on Cancer. (2001). Press Release IARC finds limited evidence that residential magnetic fields increase risk of childhood Leukaemia. Retrieved from http://archive.li/pZXs3#selection-601.0-601.97

World Health Organization International Agency For Research On Cancer. (2002). Non-ionizing radiation, part 1: Static and extremely low-frequency (elf) electric and magnetic fields. Lyon: World Health Organization.  

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences EMF-RAPID Program Staff. (1999). Health Effects from Exposure to Power-Line Frequency Electric and Magnetic Fields. Research Triangle Park: National Institutes of Health. Retrieved from https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/assets/docs_p_z/report_powerline_electric_mg_predates_508.pdf

CALIFORNIA  EMF PROJECT REPORT 

Neutra, R., DelPizzo, V., & Lee, G. (2002). An evaluation of the possible risks from electric and magnetic fields (emfs) from power lines, internal wiring, electrical occupations, and appliances. Oakland: California EMF Program.

Bioinitiative Report

 Sections Specifically on ELF

• 2012 New Chapter: Plausible Genetic and Metabolic Mechanisms for Bioeffects of Very Weak ELF Magnetic Fields on Living Tissue – Dr. Heroux and Dr. Ying Li
  ELF-EMF/Static Field Free Radical (Oxidative Damage) Abstracts (2019)
• ELF-EMF Comet Assay Abstracts (2017)
• ELF-EMF/Static Field Neurological Effects Abstracts (2019)

Published Studies (Published Research on Powerlines Magnetic and Electric Fields)

Seomun G, Lee J, Park J (2021) Exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields and childhood cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS ONE 16(5): e0251628. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0251628

• A total of 33 studies were identified. Thirty studies with 186,223 participants were included in the meta-analysis. Conclusions: Significant associations were observed between exposure to ELF-MFs and childhood leukemia. Furthermore, a possible dose-response effect was also observed.
• Statistically significant associations were observed between exposure to ELF-MF [extremely low frequency magnetic fields] and childhood leukemia.’ They found:
  • children exposed to 2 mG had 26% more chance of leukemia
  • children exposed to 3 mG had 22% more chance of developing leukemia
  • children exposed to 4 mG had 72% more chance of developing leukemia
  • children exposed to 4 mG had over double the risk of childhood cancer.

  These levels are much lower than those allowed by the limits of the International Commission on NonIonizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), to which Australia adheres, which allow the general public to be exposed to magnetic fields of 2000 mG.

Christian Brabant, Anton Geerinck, Charlotte Beaudart, Ezio Tirelli, Christophe Geuzaine, Olivier Bruyère. Exposure to magnetic fields and childhood leukemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of case-control and cohort studies. Reviews on Environmental Health. Published online March 15, 2022. doi: 10.1515/reveh-2021-0112.

Li D, Chen H, Ferber JR, Hirst AK, Odouli R. Association Between Maternal Exposure to Magnetic Field Nonionizing Radiation During Pregnancy and Risk of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Offspring in a Longitudinal Birth Cohort. JAMA Network Open. 2020;3(3):e201417. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.1417

Li, D., Ferber, J., Odouli, R., & Quesenberry, C. (2012). A Prospective Study of In-utero Exposure to Magnetic Fields and the Risk of Childhood Obesity. Scientific Reports, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/srep00540 

Li, D. (2011). Maternal Exposure to Magnetic Fields During Pregnancy in Relation to the Risk of Asthma in Offspring. Archives Of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, 165(10), 945. https://doi.org/10.1001/archpediatrics.2011.135

Li, D., Chen, H., Ferber, J., Odouli, R., & Quesenberry, C. (2017). Exposure to Magnetic Field Non-Ionizing Radiation and the Risk of Miscarriage: A Prospective Cohort Study. Scientific Reports, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-16623-8

Carles, C., Esquirol, Y., Turuban, M., Piel, C., Migault, L., & Pouchieu, C. et al. (2020). Residential proximity to power lines and risk of brain tumor in the general population. Environmental Research, 185, 109473. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2020.109473

Vaitkuvienė, D., & Dagys, M. (2014). Possible effects of electromagnetic field on White Stork Ciconia ciconia breeding on low-voltage electricity line poles. Zoology And Ecology, 24(4), 289-296. https://doi.org/10.1080/21658005.2014.962783

Khan MW, Juutilainen J, Naarala J, et al Residential extremely low frequency magnetic fields and skin cancer Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2022;79:49-54.

Soffritti, M., Tibaldi, E., Padovani, M., Hoel, D., Giuliani, L., & Bua, L. et al. (2016). Synergism between sinusoidal-50 Hz magnetic field and formaldehyde in triggering carcinogenic effects in male Sprague-Dawley rats. American Journal Of Industrial Medicine, 59(7), 509-521. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.22598

Soffritti, M., Tibaldi, E., Padovani, M., Hoel, D., Giuliani, L., & Bua, L. et al. (2016). Life-span exposure to sinusoidal-50 Hz magnetic field and acute low-dose γ radiation induce carcinogenic effects in Sprague-Dawley rats. International Journal Of Radiation Biology, 92(4), 202-214. https://doi.org/10.3109/09553002.2016.1144942

Juutilainen, J., Kumlin, T., & Naarala, J. (2006). Do extremely low frequency magnetic fields enhance the effects of environmental carcinogens? A meta-analysis of experimental studies. International Journal Of Radiation Biology, 82(1), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1080/09553000600577839

Turner, M., Benke, G., Bowman, J., Figuerola, J., Fleming, S., & Hours, M. et al. (2014). Occupational Exposure to Extremely Low-Frequency Magnetic Fields and Brain Tumor Risks in the INTEROCC Study. Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention, 23(9), 1863-1872. https://doi.org/10.1158/1055-9965.epi-14-0102

Li, Y., & Héroux, P. (2019). Magnetic Fields Trump Oxygen in Controlling the Death of Erythro-Leukemia Cells. Applied Sciences, 9(24), 5318. https://doi.org/10.3390/app9245318

Zendehdel, R., Yu, I., Hajipour-Verdom, B., & Panjali, Z. (2019). DNA effects of low level occupational exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (50/60 Hz). Toxicology And Industrial Health, 35(6), 424-430. https://doi.org/10.1177/0748233719851697

Tiwari, R., Lakshmi, N., Bhargava, S., & Ahuja, Y. (2014). Epinephrine, DNA integrity and oxidative stress in workers exposed to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) at 132 kV substations. Electromagnetic Biology And Medicine, 34(1), 56-62. https://doi.org/10.3109/15368378.2013.869755

Huang, J., Tang, T., Hu, G., Zheng, J., Wang, Y., & Wang, Q. et al. (2013). Association between Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields from High Voltage Transmission Lines and Neurobehavioral Function in Children. Plos ONE, 8(7), e67284. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0067284

Esmailzadeh, S., Agajani Delavar, M., Aleyassin, A., Gholamian, S., & Ahmadi, A. (2019). Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields of High Voltage Overhead Power Lines and Female Infertility. The International Journal Of Occupational And Environmental Medicine, 10(1), 11-16. https://doi.org/10.15171/ijoem.2019.1429

Qi, G., Zuo, X., Zhou, L., Aoki, E., Okamula, A., & Watanebe, M. et al. (2015). Effects of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) exposure on B6C3F1 mice. Environmental Health And Preventive Medicine, 20(4), 287-293. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12199-015-0463-5

Ghazikhanlou-Sani, K., Rahimi, A., Poorkaveh, M., Eynali, S., Koosha, F., & Shoja, M. (2018). Evaluation of the electromagnetic field intensity in operating rooms and estimation of occupational exposures of personnel. Interventional Medicine And Applied Science, 10(3), 121-126. https://doi.org/10.1556/1646.10.2018.18

Mahaki, H., Tanzadehpanah, H., Jabarivasal, N., Sardanian, K., & Zamani, A. (2018). A review on the effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) on cytokines of innate and adaptive immunity. Electromagnetic Biology And Medicine, 38(1), 84-95. https://doi.org/10.1080/15368378.2018.1545668

Bagheri Hosseinabadi, M., Khanjani, N., Ebrahimi, M., Haji, B., & Abdolahfard, M. (2018). The effect of chronic exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields on sleep quality, stress, depression  and anxiety. Electromagnetic Biology And Medicine, 38(1), 96-101. https://doi.org/10.1080/15368378.2018.1545665

Kitaoka, K., Kitamura, M., Aoi, S., Shimizu, N., & Yoshizaki, K. (2012). Chronic exposure to an extremely low-frequency magnetic field induces depression-like behavior and corticosterone secretion without enhancement of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in mice. Bioelectromagnetics, 34(1), 43-51. https://doi.org/10.1002/bem.21743

Wertheimer, N., & Leeper, E. (1979). Electrical wiring configurations and childhood cancer. American Journal Of Epidemiology, 109(3), 273-284. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a112681

Karimi, A., Ghadiri Moghaddam, F., & Valipour, M. (2020). Insights in the biology of extremely low-frequency magnetic fields exposure on human health. Molecular Biology Reports. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-020-05563-8

Udroiu, Antoccia, et al., Genotoxicity Induced by Foetal and Infant Exposure to Magnetic Fields and Modulation of Ionising Radiation Effects.  PLoS One (2015).

Ren, Y., et al. , Prenatal Exposure to Extremely Low Frequency Magnetic Field and Its Impact on Fetal Growth. Environmental Health (2019).

Park J, Jeong E, Seomun G. Extremely Low-Frequency Magnetic Fields Exposure Measurement during Lessons in Elementary Schools.International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020; 17(15):5284. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17155284

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 

A 2021 study (Baaken et al 2021) found “a relative risk of ≥1.14 for Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis  and occupational exposure to ELF-MF”   and recommends  a pooled analysis is to establish a study protocol and additional research. ALS has long been associated with “electrical” occupations, especially welding. A meta-analysis (Zhou et al., 2012) indicates that there might be a slight but statistically significant increase in ALS risk among people with jobs related to higher levels of EMF exposure. 

Ghazanfarpour, Masumeh, Kashani, Zahra Atarodi, Pakzad, Reza, Abdi, Fatemeh, Rahnemaei, Fatemeh Alsadat, Akbari, Pouran Akhavan and Roozbeh, Nasibeh. “Effect of electromagnetic field on abortion: A systematic review and meta-analysis” Open Medicine, vol. 16, no. 1, 2021, pp. 1628-1641. https://doi.org/10.1515/med-2021-0384

Environmental Health Trust has resources on how to reduce magnetic field EMFs HERE.

Dirty Electricity AKA Harmonics 

Anaya M, Borrego SF, Gámez E et al (2016) Viable fungi in the air of indoor environments of the National Archive of the Republic of Cuba. Aerobiologia (Bologna) 32:513–527. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10453-016-9429-3

• “This study shows that some species of fungi are affected by the magnetic field, which should be taken into account in studies of airborne fungal and air quality.”
• “Was concluded that the applied oscillating magnetic field had a major influence on size colony and mycelia pigmentation of A. niger that C. cladosporioides and P. citrinum, independently of the nutritional state according to the culture medium employed in this study.”