Unknown authors · 2009
Swedish researchers analyzed national health data and found that public health indicators improved through the early 1990s but began deteriorating sharply after 1997. The researchers suggest this timing coincides with widespread mobile phone adoption and cannot be explained by improved diagnostics alone, raising questions about potential environmental factors including wireless radiation exposure.
Unknown authors · 2009
This 2009 literature review examined research on how extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields affect the human cardiovascular system. The researchers found that studies on heart rate, blood pressure, and heart rhythm changes from EMF exposure have been largely inconclusive due to poor study design and small sample sizes. The review highlighted major gaps in our understanding of how EMF exposure affects both major blood vessels and tiny capillaries in the body.
Unknown authors · 2009
Researchers exposed mice with Ehrlich ascites carcinoma to extremely weak magnetic fields (1-16.5 Hz frequencies at 100-300 nanotesla intensity) combined with a static field of 42 microtesla. The treatment dramatically reduced tumor growth, with tumor tissue becoming practically absent in treated mice while control animals showed extensive cancer spread. Importantly, the same magnetic field exposure caused no harmful effects in healthy mice.
Unknown authors · 2009
Scientists reviewed evidence linking long-term occupational exposure to magnetic fields with increased risks of Alzheimer's disease and breast cancer. They found that high-level magnetic field exposure affects two key biological processes: increasing harmful amyloid beta production in the brain and decreasing protective melatonin production. This research suggests both power line frequencies and radio frequencies may have similar biological effects.
Unknown authors · 2009
German researchers exposed MCF-7 breast cancer cells to 50 Hz electromagnetic fields at 1.2 microTesla (similar to power line EMF). The EMF exposure significantly increased expression of genes that help cancer cells spread and metastasize. This suggests that common household electromagnetic fields could potentially make existing breast cancers more aggressive.
Unknown authors · 2009
Italian researchers studied 345 residents living near a 60 kV power line in Rome from 1954-2003, tracking hospital records from 1998-2003. They found significantly increased cancer rates among long-term residents (over 30 years) and those in the highest magnetic field exposure areas. The study also revealed a two-fold increase in heart disease among the most exposed residents.
Unknown authors · 2009
Researchers found that cattle and deer naturally align their bodies north-south with Earth's magnetic field, but this behavior becomes random near high-voltage power lines. The extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields from power lines disrupt the animals' magnetic sensing ability, with effects diminishing as distance from the lines increases.
Unknown authors · 2009
UK researchers measured magnetic field exposure from power lines and electrical equipment in 317 workers across 117 different occupations. They found workplace exposure was significantly higher than home exposure, with welders, printers, and telephone operators facing the highest levels. The study revealed that job classification systems alone poorly predict actual exposure levels.
Unknown authors · 2009
This 2009 review analyzed 29 studies examining whether magnetic fields can break DNA strands, a type of damage that can lead to cancer. Overall, 50% of studies found DNA damage from magnetic field exposure, but the results varied significantly depending on the type of study. The mixed findings reflect ongoing scientific uncertainty about how electromagnetic fields might contribute to genetic damage.
Unknown authors · 2009
This 2009 Italian research review examined three decades of studies on power line magnetic fields and health, building on the landmark 1979 Wertheimer-Leeper study that first linked childhood cancer to electrical wiring configurations. The researchers found evidence connecting 50-60 Hz magnetic field exposure to increased rates of cancer, heart disease, and blood disorders in highly exposed populations.
Unknown authors · 2009
Scientists exposed fruit flies to 50 Hz magnetic fields (the same frequency as power lines) and tracked their egg-laying ability across three generations. The study found that exposure significantly reduced the flies' ability to lay eggs, with effects persisting into subsequent generations even after the magnetic field exposure ended.
Unknown authors · 2009
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.
Unknown authors · 2009
Canadian researchers studied 548 children with brain tumors and 760 healthy controls, examining their mothers' workplace exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields before and during pregnancy. They found that mothers with higher occupational EMF exposure had a 50-60% increased risk of having children who developed brain tumors, particularly astroglial tumors.
Unknown authors · 2009
Italian researchers exposed rats to both 50 Hz magnetic fields (like power lines) and 1.8 GHz electromagnetic fields (like cell phones) at various intensities. They found that both types of EMF exposure disrupted the natural daily rhythms of blood chemistry markers including glucose, triglycerides, and cholesterol. This suggests EMF exposure interferes with fundamental biological timing systems that regulate metabolism.
Unknown authors · 2009
This functional MRI study examined how exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (DC to 300 Hz) affects pain processing in the human brain. The researchers found significant differences in brain activation patterns between exposed and sham-exposed groups in regions including the insula, anterior cingulate, and hippocampus/caudate, suggesting that low-intensity magnetic fields can modulate neural activity related to acute thermal pain perception.
Unknown authors · 2009
Researchers exposed cancer cells to 50 Hz electromagnetic fields (the same frequency as power lines) for up to 72 hours and found the fields increased protein damage and accelerated cell growth. The EMF exposure triggered more free radical production, forcing cellular cleanup systems to work harder to remove damaged proteins.
Unknown authors · 2009
Scientists exposed human immune cells to two types of electromagnetic fields: standard 100 Hz extremely low frequency (ELF) fields and therapeutic musically modulated electromagnetic fields (TAMMEFs). The ELF exposure increased activity of adenylate kinase, an enzyme crucial for cellular energy management, while TAMMEF exposure slightly decreased it. The findings suggest different EMF frequencies may have opposite effects on cellular energy processes.
Unknown authors · 2009
Researchers measured electromagnetic field exposure in 121 workers and tested their natural killer (NK) cells, which help fight cancer and infections. Workers exposed to magnetic fields above 1 microTesla showed significantly reduced NK cell activity compared to those with lower exposure. This suggests workplace EMF exposure may weaken immune defenses against cancer.
Unknown authors · 2009
Researchers in Bangkok studied 180 adult leukemia patients compared to 756 healthy controls to identify disease risk factors. They found suggestive evidence that GSM cell phone use doubled leukemia risk, while working near power lines increased myeloid leukemia risk by over 4 times. The study also confirmed strong associations with chemical exposures like benzene and pesticides.
Unknown authors · 2009
Turkish researchers studied 55 electrical workers at transformer and power distribution stations to assess DNA damage from occupational EMF exposure. Workers showed significantly higher rates of chromosomal damage and cellular abnormalities compared to unexposed controls, with damage increasing based on years of employment. The study provides evidence that chronic workplace EMF exposure may cause genetic damage in human cells.
Unknown authors · 2009
Finnish researchers tested 29 adults for sensitivity to FM radio and TV tower signals by using a movable wall to create changing electromagnetic standing waves. Nine people showed hand movements that correlated with the electromagnetic field changes, while 14 showed no response at all. The study suggests some people can physically detect broadcast tower radiation.
Unknown authors · 2009
UK researchers measured radiofrequency emissions from Wi-Fi devices in schools, finding that laptops emitted 1-17 milliwatts and access points emitted 3-29 milliwatts at both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies. The radiation patterns showed that laptops emit least toward the user's torso and most from the screen corners where antennas are located. All measured power densities fell below international safety limits, though the study only assessed short-term thermal effects.
Unknown authors · 2009
This 2009 review examined how radiofrequency radiation from cell phone towers affects wildlife populations. The research found that continuous electromagnetic exposure from phone masts can reduce animals' natural defenses, harm reproduction, and cause behavioral avoidance in birds, bats, and other species. The study concluded that RF pollution represents a potential cause for declining animal populations near cell towers.
Unknown authors · 2009
This 2009 Health Canada review examined dozens of studies investigating whether radiofrequency radiation from wireless devices can alter gene and protein expression in cells and tissues. The researchers found mixed results, with some studies showing RF radiation can change how genes function while others found no clear effects. This research is important because changes in gene expression could potentially lead to health problems over time.
Unknown authors · 2009
Researchers analyzed 87 studies from 1990-2007 examining whether extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (like those from power lines) cause genetic damage to mammalian cells. They found statistically significant increases in genetic damage under certain exposure conditions, though the biological effects were generally small. The analysis also revealed evidence of publication bias in the research.
