Wednesday 19 December 2001
A major international epidemiological review of the effect of electromagnetic fields (EMF) produced by electricity has been carried out by the body that develops international guidelines on non-ionizing radiation exposures. They conclude that there is no convincing evidence of a link to raised incidence of suicide, reproductive problems or cancer in adults, but that prolonged exposure to high levels of EMF is associated with a doubled risk of childhood leukaemia.
The review was carried out for the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) by six senior epidemiologists from major institutions around the world, including The Institute of Cancer Research in the UK, the US National Cancer Institute and the Karolinska Institute in Sweden. The results are published in this month's Environmental Health Perspectives1.
The exhaustive three year study reviewed the results of all previous epidemiological research into the potential health hazards posed by EMF exposure.
Professor Anthony Swerdlow, an epidemiologist at The Institute of Cancer Research, and contributing author of the study said: "The epidemiological literature is worth careful consideration because it is essentially on this evidence that suggestions of effects on human health rest.
We concluded that there is no chronic disease for which a causal relation to EMF can be regarded as established, but there is evidence for an approximate doubled risk of leukaemia in children exposed to high levels of EMF. Whether this risk is caused by the EMF exposure remains unknown".
The conclusions on the leukaemia risk confirm the findings of a British review released in March this year2. That review noted that in the UK about 0.4 per cent of children experience a high level of exposure to EMF.
ICNIRP publishes recommendations for international guidelines on protection against the electromagnetic fields associated with the transmission, generation and use of electricity and these are adopted by governments world-wide, the World Health Organization and the European Commission.
People are exposed to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields mainly through the generation, transmission and use of electricity. Exposures are therefore very widespread in modern life.
Nearly all homes are exposed to low level EMFs from electricity transmission and residential electrical wiring and appliances. Although levels can be high around power lines and pylons, the strength of EMF is considerably reduced at a distance from them.
Although there have been public fears in the past about the effects on health of high levels of EMF, the researchers found no convincing evidence of links between high levels of exposure and depression, cardiovascular disease, cancer in adults or miscarriage.
Professor Peter Rigby, Chief Executive of The Institute of Cancer Research said: "Scientists at The Institute of Cancer Research have a strong history of working in collaboration with international researchers. I am delighted that The Institute has been able to contribute to research which will be a valuable contribution to health risk assessment and the development of exposure guidelines for agencies setting world-wide safety standards."
Childhood leukaemia, a cancer that develops in the bone marrow, accounts for one third of all childhood cancers - around 500 cases of leukaemia and 1000 cases of other cancers occur in children (under 15 years) in the UK each year.
The results of this study form the first of a three part review of scientific information on EMF and health by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection. Results of the reviews of biological and physics studies are pending.
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For further information please contact Chris Ettery in The Institute of Cancer Research press office on 020 7970 6056/07721 747 900.
email: [email protected]
Notes to editors
- The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) is an independent scientific organisation whose aims are to provide guidance and advice on the health hazards of non-ionizing exposure. It develops international guidelines on limits of exposures to non-ionizing radiation which are independent and science based; provides science based guidance and recommendations on protection from non-ionizing radiation exposure; establishes principles of non-ionizing radiation protection for formulating international and national protection programmes. ICNIRP is the formally recognised non-governmental organisation in non-ionizing radiation for the World Health Organisation and the International Labour Office, it maintains a close liaison and working relationship with all international bodies engaged in the field of non-ionizing radiation protection and represents radiation protection professionals worldwide through its close collaboration with the International Radiation Protection Association and its national societies.
- The Institute of Cancer Research is a centre of excellence with some of the world's leading scientists working on cutting edge research. It was founded in 1909 to carry out research into the causes of cancer and to develop new strategies for its prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care. The Institute works in a unique partnership with The Royal Marsden Hospital, which enables scientific discoveries to be translated quickly into patient care. The Institute is affiliated to the University of London.
Please note:
Unfortunately the press office are unable to answer queries from the general public. For general cancer information please refer to The Institute's cancer information page.
- "Review of the Epidemiological Literature on EMF and Health", Environmental Health Perspectives, Volume 109 (Supplement 6) December 2001.
- The National Radiological Protection Board released their review on cancer risks in March 2001: ELF Electromagnetic Fields and the Risk of Cancer. Doc. NRPB 12(1), 3-179 (2001).