Browse 8,655 peer-reviewed studies on electromagnetic field health effects from 4 research libraries.
Showing 666 studies (Human Studies) from Powerwatch EMF Bibliography
Unknown authors · 1992
Scientists discovered magnetite crystals naturally occurring in human brain tissue for the first time, finding millions of these magnetic particles per gram in various brain regions. The crystals resemble those found in magnetotactic bacteria and fish, suggesting biological formation. This discovery may explain how low-frequency magnetic fields could potentially affect brain function.
Unknown authors · 1991
Researchers studied 232 children with leukemia and 232 healthy controls in Los Angeles County, measuring magnetic and electric fields in their homes and analyzing electrical wiring configurations. While direct EMF measurements showed no clear cancer risk, children living in homes with high-current electrical wiring had more than double the leukemia risk compared to those in low-EMF wiring configurations.
Unknown authors · 1990
This 1990 case-control study examined 374 childhood cancer cases in Yorkshire, England, comparing them to 588 healthy controls to determine if living near overhead power lines increased cancer risk. Researchers calculated magnetic field strengths at children's birth addresses and found no association between childhood cancer and either proximity to power lines or magnetic field exposure.
Unknown authors · 1989
Researchers in Wolverhampton, UK surveyed homes to see if 50 Hz magnetic field strength from power lines correlated with depression and heart attacks. They found significantly higher magnetic field levels at homes of people with depression, but no connection to heart attacks.
Unknown authors · 1989
This 1989 study examined whether living near power lines and electrical substations increases leukemia risk in southeast England. Researchers found a doubled risk of leukemia for people living within 50 meters of overhead power lines, though the small number of cases made results statistically uncertain. The study represents early evidence linking residential proximity to electrical infrastructure with blood cancer risk.
Unknown authors · 1988
This 1988 Denver study examined 356 children with cancer and compared their home magnetic field exposures to healthy controls. Children living in homes with magnetic fields above 2.0 milligauss had 40% higher cancer rates overall, with even stronger associations for leukemia (90% higher) and lymphomas (120% higher). The study also found that homes near high-voltage power lines had significantly more childhood cancer cases.
Unknown authors · 1988
Nine telecommunications workers were accidentally exposed to 4.1 GHz radio-frequency radiation, with two receiving high doses of 4.6 mW/cm² for up to 90 minutes. Despite comprehensive medical examinations and nine months of follow-up, researchers found no harmful health effects except possibly hair loss.
Unknown authors · 1986
This 1986 Swedish study examined 716 childhood cancer cases in Stockholm County, comparing magnetic field exposure from power lines at children's homes to matched controls. Children living near 200-kV power lines or in areas with magnetic fields above 0.3 μT had twice the cancer risk, with the strongest association for nervous system tumors.
Unknown authors · 1982
Researchers measured melatonin levels in 20 women with early-stage breast cancer and found that those with estrogen receptor positive tumors had significantly lower nighttime melatonin peaks compared to healthy controls. The study revealed a strong correlation between low melatonin and high estrogen receptor concentrations in tumors, suggesting melatonin deficiency may play a role in hormone-sensitive breast cancer development.
Unknown authors · 1982
Two men accidentally exposed to X-band microwave radiation developed identical psychological symptoms including emotional instability, irritability, headaches, and insomnia, followed by hypertension months later. Doctors found no other medical explanation for these symptoms. This case study provides circumstantial evidence that acute microwave exposure can cause lasting neurological and cardiovascular effects.
Unknown authors · 1982
Researchers measured melatonin levels over 24 hours in 20 women with early-stage breast cancer. Women with estrogen receptor positive tumors had significantly lower nighttime melatonin peaks compared to healthy controls, with the lowest melatonin levels corresponding to the highest estrogen receptor concentrations. This suggests disrupted melatonin production may be linked to certain types of breast cancer.
Unknown authors · 1980
Queensland researchers tracked malignant melanoma rates from 1966 to 1977, finding the annual incidence doubled from 16 to 32.7 cases per 100,000 people. The study showed more cases were being caught earlier and at more superficial levels. This suggests improved early detection and treatment rather than just increased disease occurrence.
Unknown authors · 1980
Queensland researchers tracked skin cancer rates from 1966 to 1977, finding that malignant melanoma cases doubled from 16 to 32.7 per 100,000 people. The good news: doctors were catching tumors earlier and smaller, suggesting improved detection was partly responsible for the increased numbers.
Unknown authors · 1979
Researchers analyzed suicide data in England's Midlands region and found a correlation between proximity to high-voltage power transmission lines and suicide rates. This 1979 study was among the first to suggest that electromagnetic fields from power lines might influence human behavior and mental health outcomes.
Unknown authors · 1979
This 1979 study examined suicide rates near high-voltage power lines in England's Midlands region. Researchers found a correlation between proximity to transmission line electromagnetic fields and increased suicide occurrence. This was one of the first studies to suggest a link between power line EMF exposure and mental health effects.
Unknown authors · 1979
Researchers in Colorado studied homes where children developed cancer between 1976-1977 and found an excess of electrical wiring configurations that suggested high current flow near these homes compared to control homes. The correlation appeared strongest for children who had lived at the same address their entire lives and showed a dose-response relationship.