pii: 20180590
Juutilainen J et al, (May 2018) Magnetocarcinogenesis: is there a mechanism for carcinogenic effects of weak magnetic fields?, Proc Biol Sci. 2018 May 30;285 · 2018
The review discusses the radical pair mechanism as a possible explanation for the link between ELF magnetic fields and childhood leukaemia.
Plain English Summary
Extremely low-frequency magnetic fields have been classified as possibly carcinogenic based on epidemiological findings suggesting a link between childhood leukaemia and 50–60 Hz magnetic fields from power lines. Animal and in vitro experiments have provided only limited support for carcinogenic effects of ELF magnetic fields. The review discusses the radical pair mechanism as a possible biophysical mechanism and proposes a hypothesis for the link between ELF fields and childhood leukaemia.
Why This Matters
There is no generally accepted biophysical mechanism that could explain carcinogenic effects of ELF magnetic fields. The review examines cryptochromes as the putative magnetosensitive molecules and their possible links to cancer-relevant biological processes.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.
Show BibTeX
@article{pii_20180590_ce1296,
author = {Juutilainen J et al and (May 2018) Magnetocarcinogenesis: is there a mechanism for carcinogenic effects of weak magnetic fields? and Proc Biol Sci. 2018 May 30;285},
title = {pii: 20180590},
year = {2018},
doi = {10.1098/rspb.2018.0590},
}