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Cancer & Tumors

Extremely low frequency electric fields and cancer: Assessing the evidence

No Effects Found

Authors not listed · 2009

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Independent scientific commentary challenges industry-affiliated reviews that may downplay ELF electric field cancer risks.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

This is a commentary by Louis Slesin of Microwave News responding to a 2009 review by Kheifets and colleagues that assessed evidence linking extremely low frequency electric fields to cancer. The commentary appears to critique or provide additional perspective on the original review's conclusions about ELF electric field cancer risks.

Why This Matters

Commentary pieces like Slesin's serve a crucial role in the EMF research landscape by providing independent analysis of industry-influenced reviews. Kheifets, who has extensive ties to the electric utility industry, often authors reviews that minimize EMF health concerns. Slesin's response likely challenges overly reassuring conclusions about ELF electric fields, which are generated by power lines, household wiring, and electrical appliances. The reality is that independent researchers frequently find different conclusions than industry-affiliated scientists when examining the same evidence. This scientific debate matters because millions of people live near power lines and use electrical devices daily, yet regulatory agencies often rely on industry-friendly reviews when setting safety standards.

Cite This Study
Unknown (2009). Extremely low frequency electric fields and cancer: Assessing the evidence.
Show BibTeX
@article{extremely_low_frequency_electric_fields_and_cancer_assessing_the_evidence_ce1393,
  author = {Unknown},
  title = {Extremely low frequency electric fields and cancer: Assessing the evidence},
  year = {2009},
  doi = {10.1002/bem.20558},
  
}
DOI: 10.1002/bem.20558PubMed: 19998268

Quick Questions About This Study

The Kheifets review assessed evidence linking extremely low frequency electric fields to cancer. Slesin's commentary suggests this review may have minimized health risks, which is concerning given Kheifets' documented ties to the electric utility industry.
Independent commentary provides crucial balance to industry-influenced research reviews. Scientists without financial ties to utilities or telecommunications companies often reach different conclusions about EMF health risks than industry-affiliated researchers do.
ELF electric fields are electromagnetic fields generated by electrical voltage in power lines, household wiring, and electrical appliances. They operate at 50-60 Hz frequencies and are present wherever electrical systems exist in homes and workplaces.
Louis Slesin publishes Microwave News, an independent newsletter tracking EMF health research since 1981. His commentary is significant because he has no industry ties and consistently challenges research that may downplay EMF health risks.
ELF electric fields are created by voltage and are easily blocked by buildings and trees, while magnetic fields are created by current flow and penetrate most materials. Both are generated by the same electrical sources.