[Health effects of electromagnetic fields].
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Date
2013-12-03
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Abstract
Use of electricity causes extremely low frequency magnetic fields ELF MF and wireless communication devices emit radiofrequency electromagnetic fields RF EMF Average ELF MF exposure is mainly determined by high voltage power lines and transformers at home or at the workplace whereas RF EMF exposure is mainly caused by devices operating close to the body mainly mobile and cordless phones Health effects of EMF are controversially discussed The IARC classified ELF MF and RF EMF as possible carcinogenic Most consistent epidemiological evidence was found for an association between ELF MF and childhood leukaemia If causal 1 4 percent of all childhood leukaemia cases could be attributed to ELF MF Epidemiological research provided some indications for an association between ELF MF and Alzheimer s diseases as well as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis although not entirely consistent Regarding mobile phones and brain tumours some studies observed an increased risk after heavy or long term use on the one hand On the other hand brain tumour incidence was not found to have increased in the last decade in Sweden England or the US Acute effects of RF EMF on non specific symptoms of ill health seem unlikely according to randomized and double blind provocation studies However epidemiological research on long term effects is still limited Although from the current state of the scientific knowledge a large individual health risk from RF EMF exposure is unlikely even a small risk would have substantial public health relevance because of the widespread use of wireless communication technologies