Association of Electric and Magnetic Fields with Cancer

Document Type : Review paper

Authors

1 Biology Department, Graduate School of Natural and Applied Science, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey

2 Department of Electrical Engineering, Damavand Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

The electricity industry and its use is an integral part of life, and due to that, people are exposed to a complex combination of electric and magnetic fields everywhere. A magnetic field results from the flow of current through electrical device. Electric fields are produced whether or not a device is turned on whereas magnetic field are produced only when current is flowing, which usually requires a device to be turned on. Cancer is a complex group of diseases with many possible causes. It is caused by genetic, environmental and dietary factors. Electric and magnetic fields are most important environmental factors that may cause cancer. Although there are a number of studies indicating that there is no significant connection between exposure to electric and magnetic fields and cancer and there is no known mechanism by which electric and magnetic fields could damage DNA and cause cancer, some studies have reported a significant association between exposure to electric and magnetic fields and cancer. Today, it is a public concern that whether exposure to household electric appliance, Wi-Fi cell phone base station or radio or television transmitters, and … could increase the risk of cancer in children as well as adults. Indeed, there are few epidemiological studies concerning the effect of electric and magnetic fields on cancer development in human. Despite a body of knowledge obtained from experimental studies on cells, tissues and animals, they could not reveal clearly the association between electric and magnetic fields and cancer.

Keywords

References

[1]. Faria JB. Electromagnetic foundations of electrical engineering. John Wiley & Sons; 2008.
[2]. Lin JC. Electromagnetic fields in biological systems. Taylor & Francis; 2012.
[3]. Griffiths, David J. Introduction to Electrodynamics. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458: Prentice Hall. 1999;pp:364. ISBN 0-13-805326-X.
[4]. Richard Feynman. The Feynman Lectures on Physics Vol II. Addison Wesley Longman. ISBN 978-0-201-02115-8. A “field” is any physical quantity which takes on different values at different points in space. 1970.
[5]. Zamanian A, Hardiman CJ. Electromagnetic radiation and human health: A review of sources and effects. High Frequency Electronics. 2005;4(3):16-26.ncy Electronics. 2005;4(3):16-26.B. Günay et al. / Intl J of BiolIfe Sciences: 1(3) 165-171, 2022169
[6]. Electromagnetic Fields and Cancer- https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causesprevention/risk/radiation/electromagnetic-fields-fact-sheet
[7]. Maffei ME. Magnetic fields and cancer: Epidemiology, cellular biology, and theranostics. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2022;23(3):1339.
[8]. Monadizadeh S, Kibert CJ, Li J, Woo J, Asutosh A, Roostaie S, Kouhirostami M. A review of protocols and guidelines addressing the exposure of occupants to electromagnetic field radiation (EMFr) in buildings. Journal of Green Building. 2021;16(2):55-81.
[9]. Rathebe PC, Modisane DS, Rampedi MB, Biddesay-Manila S, Mbonane TP. A review on residential exposure to electromagnetic fields from overhead power lines: electrification as a health burden in rural communities. 2019 Open Innovations (OI). 2019:219-21.
[10]. Gupta S, Sharma RS, Singh R. Non-ionizing radiation as possible carcinogen. International Journal of Environmental Health Research. 2022;32(4):916-40.
[11]. Mazzanti G. Evaluation of continuous exposure to magnetic field from ac overhead transmission lines via historical load databases: Common procedures and innovative heuristic formulas. IEEE transactions on power delivery. 2009;25(1):238-47.
[12]. Repacholi M. Concern that “EMF” magnetic fields from power lines cause cancer. Science of the Total Environment. 2012;426:454-8.
[13]. World Health Organization, International Agency for Research on Cancer. Non-ionizing radiation, Part 1: Static and extremely low-frequency (ELF) electric and magnetic fieldsExit Disclaimer. IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans 2002;80:1-395.
[14]. Ahlbom IC, Cardis E, Green A, Linet M, Savitz D, Swerdlow A, ICNIRP (International Commission for Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection) Standing Committee on Epidemiology. Review of the epidemiologic literature on EMF and Health. Environmental health perspectives. 2001;109(suppl 6):911-33.
[15]. Schüz J. Exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields and the risk of childhood cancer: update of the epidemiological evidence. Progress in biophysics and molecular biology. 2011;107(3):339-42.
[16]. Pooam M, Jourdan N, El Esawi M, Sherrard RM, Ahmad M. HEK293 cell response to static magnetic fields via the radical pair mechanism may explain therapeutic effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields. Plos one. 2020;15(12):e0243038.
[17]. Chatterjee R, Chatterjee J. ROS and oncogenesis with special reference to EMT and stemness. European journal of cell biology. 2020;99(2-3):151073.
[18]. Seomun G, Lee J, Park J. Exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields and childhood cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PloS one. 2021;16(5): e0251628.e0251628.
[19]. Schüz J. Exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields and the risk of childhood cancer: update of the epidemiological evidence. Progress in biophysics and molecular biology. 2011;107(3):339-42.
[20]. Ghahremani S, Shiroudbakhshi K, Kordasiabi AH, FiroozBakht M, Hosseinzadegan M, Ashrafinia F, Rahafard S. Exposure to magnetic fields and childhood leukemia:An overview of meta-analysis. International Journal of Pediatrics-Mashhad.2020;8(5):11361-5.
[21]. Tafrishi R, Seyfari B, Rahimi R, Chaichi Z, Dehghan Tarazjani A, Marvi N, Maazallahi M, Dolatian Z, Ashrafinia F. Modifiable and non-modifiable factors affecting the risk of childhood leukemia: An overview of meta-analysis. International Journal of Pediatrics. 2021;9(3):13243-8.
[22]. Zhao L, Liu X, Wang C, Yan K, Lin X, Li S, Bao H, Liu X. Magnetic fields exposure and B. Günay et al. / Intl J of BiolIfe Sciences: 1(3) 165-171, 2022170. childhood leukemia risk: a meta-analysis based on 11,699 cases and 13,194 controls. Leukemia research. 2014;38(3):269-74.
[23]. Amoon AT, Crespi CM, Ahlbom A, Bhatnagar M, Bray I, Bunch KJ, Clavel J, Feychting M, Hémon D, Johansen C, Kreis C. Proximity to overhead power lines and childhood leukaemia: an international pooled analysis. British journal of cancer. 2018;119(3):364-73.
[24]. Pedersen C, Bräuner EV, Rod NH, Albieri V, Andersen CE, Ulbak K, Hertel O, Johansen C, Schüz J, Raaschou-Nielsen O. Distance to high-voltage power lines and risk of childhood leukemia–an analysis of confounding by and interaction with other potential risk factors. PloS one. 2014;9(9): e107096.
[25]. Pedersen C, Johansen C, Schüz J, Olsen JH, Raaschou-Nielsen O. Residential exposure toextremely low-frequency magnetic fields and risk of childhood leukaemia, CNS tumour and lymphoma in Denmark. British journal of cancer. 2015;113(9):1370-4.
[26]. Schüz J, Dasenbrock C, Ravazzani P, Röösli M, Schär P, Bounds PL, Erdmann F, Borkhardt A, Cobaleda C, Fedrowitz M, Hamnerius Y. Extremely low‐frequency magnetic fields and risk of childhood leukemia: A risk assessment by the ARIMMORA consortium. Bioelectromagnetics. 
2016;37(3):183-9.
[27]. Miller KD, Nogueira L, Mariotto AB, Rowland JH, Yabroff KR, Alfano CM, Jemal A, Kramer JL, Siegel RL. Cancer treatment and survivorship statistics, 2019. CA: a cancer journal for clinicians. 2019;69(5):363-85.
[28]. Carpenter DO. Extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields and cancer: How source of funding affects results. Environmental research. 2019;178:108688.
[29]. Davis S, Mirick DK, Chen C, Stanczyk FZ. Effects of 60-Hz magnetic field exposure on nocturnal 6-sulfatoxymelatonin, estrogens, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone in healthy reproductive-age women: results of a crossover trial. Annals of epidemiology. 2006;16(8):622-31.
[30]. Graham C, Cook MR, Gerkovich MM, Sastre A. Melatonin and 6‐OHMS in high‐intensity magnetic fields. Journal of pineal research. 2001;31(1):85-8.
[31]. Youngstedt SD, Kripke DF, Elliott JA, Assmus JD. No association of 6-sulfatoxymelatonin with in-bed 60-Hz magnetic field exposure or illumination level among older adults. Environmental Research. 2002;89(3):201-9.
[32]. Levallois P, Dumont M, Touitou Y, Gingras S, Mâsse B, Gauvin D, Kröger E, Bourdages M, Douville P. Effects of electric and magnetic fields from high-power lines on female urinary excretion of 6-sulfatoxymelatonin. American Journal of Epidemiology. 2001;154(7):601-9.
[33]. Feychting M. Invited Commentary: Extremely Low-Frequency Magnetic Fields and Breast Cancer—Now It Is Enough! American journal of epidemiology. 2013;178(7):1046-50.
[34]. Touitou Y, Lambrozo J, Camus F, Charbuy H. Magnetic fields and the melatonin hypothesis: a study of workers chronically exposed to 50-Hz magnetic fields. American Journal of PhysiologyRegulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology. 2003;284(6):R1529-35.
[35]. Touitou Y, Selmaoui B, Lambrozo J, Auzeby A. Assessment of the effects of magnetic fields (50 hz) on melatonin secretion in humans and rats. A circadian study. BULLETIN DE L ACADEMIE NATIONALE DE MEDECINE. 2002;186(9):1625-39.
[36]. Davis S, Mirick DK. Residential magnetic fields, medication use, and the risk of breast cancer. Epidemiology. 2007;18(2):266-9.
[37]. De Bruyn L, De Jager L, Kuyl JM. The influence of long-term exposure of mice to randomly varied power frequency magnetic fields on their nocturnal melatonin secretion patterns. Environmental Research. 2001;85(2):115-21. B. Günay et al. / Intl J of BiolIfe Sciences: 1(3) 165-171, 2022171
[38]. O'Leary ES, Schoenfeld ER, Henderson K, Grimson R, Kabat GC, Kaune WT, Gammon MD, Leske MC. Wire coding in the EMF and Breast Cancer on Long Island Study: relationship to magnetic fields. Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology. 2003;13(4):283-93.
[39]. London SJ, Pogoda JM, Hwang KL, Langholz B, Monroe KR, Kolonel LN, Kaune WT, Peters JM, Henderson BE. Residential magnetic field exposure and breast cancer risk: a nested case-control study from a multiethnic cohort in Los Angeles County, California. American journal of epidemiology. 2003;158(10):969-80.
[40]. Haugsdal B, Tynes T, Røtnes JS, Griffiths D. A single nocturnal exposure to 2–7 millitesla static magnetic fields does not inhibit the excretion of 6‐sulfatoxymelatonin in healthy young men. Bioelectromagnetics: Journal of the Bioelectromagnetics Society, The Society for Physical Regulation in Biology and Medicine, The European Bioelectromagnetics Association. 2001;22(1):1-6.
[41]. Infante-Rivard C, Deadman JE. Maternal occupational exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields during pregnancy and childhood leukemia. Epidemiology. 2003:437-41.
[42]. Hug K, Grize L, Seidler A, Kaatsch P, Schüz J. Parental occupational exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields and childhood cancer: a German case-control study. American journal of epidemiology. 2010;171(1):27-35.
[43]. World Health Organization, International Agency for Research on Cancer. Non-ionizing radiation, Part 1: Static and extremely low-frequency (ELF) electric and magnetic fieldsExit Disclaimer. IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans 2002;80:1-395.
[44]. Scientific Committee on Emerging Newly Identified Health Risks. Opinion on potential health effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields. Bioelectromagnetics. 2015;36(6):480-4.
[45]. Morgan GJ, Palmer SR, Onions D, ANDERSONS M, Cartwright RA, Bentley DP. A cluster of three cases of aplastic anaemia in children. Clinical & Laboratory Haematology. 1988;10(1):29-32
International Journal of BioLife Sciences (IJBLS)
Volume 1, Issue 3
(Special Issue: papers selected from ICLS22, Istanbul, Turkey)
Pages 165-171

Files

History

  • Receive Date: 12 September 2022
  • Revise Date: 20 September 2022
  • Accept Date: 01 October 2022

Share

How to cite

Statistics