Presents a November 1998 World Health Organization (WHO) fact sheet about the potential health risks associated with exposure to electric and magnetic fields at extremely low frequencies (ELF).
Everyone, whether they like it or not, is exposed to electromagnetic fields, most of the time, at very low levels. In this case, they are inconsequential, but they can cause adverse health effects when they become intense enough. This topic is complex and sensitive. Covering frequencies from 0 Hz to 300 GHz, Human Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields provides an overview of this vast topic. After a reminder of the concepts of electromagnetic fields, the author presents some examples of sources of radiation in daily life and in the industrial or medical sectors. The biophysical and biological effects of these fields on the human body are detailed and the exposure limits are recalled. The exposure assessment and the implementation of the appropriate regulation within companies are also covered. Technically and practically, this book is aimed at people with a scientific background, risk prevention actors, health physicians, especially occupational doctors, and equipment designers.
This publication represents the views and expert opinions of an IARC Working Group on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans, which met in Lyon, 19-26 June 2001.
Tailored especially for the working health professional, Radio Frequency and ELF Electrogmagnetic Energies is a practical guide to understanding, evaluating, and controlling the human health effects of radio-frequency (RF) and extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields. Providing a perfect blend of applied information and theory, you'll find all you need to know about radiation safety, from the basic physics to how to set up a safety program. This book brings you cutting-edge discussions of exposure limits, monitoring instrumentation, new measurements required by human exposure standards, induced currents and contact currents, and the latest data on biological effects.
This reference explores the sources, characteristics, bioeffects, and health hazards of extremely low-frequency (ELF) fields and radio frequency radiation (RFR), analyzing current research as well as the latest epidemiological studies to assess potential risks associated with exposure and to develop effective safety guidelines. Compiles reports and investigations from four decades of study on the effect of nonionizing electromagnetic fields and radiation on human health Summarizing modern engineering approaches to control exposure, Electromagnetic Fields and Radiation discusses: EM interaction mechanisms in biological systems Explorations into the impact of EM fields on free radicals, cells, tissues, organs, whole organisms, and the population Regulatory standards in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia Pacific Evaluation of incident fields from various EM sources Measurement surveys for various sites including power lines, substations, mobile systems, cellular base stations, broadcast antennas, traffic radar devices, heating equipment, and other sources Dosimetry techniques for the determination of internal EM fields Conclusions reached by the Food and Drug Administration, World Health Organization, and other institutions
Contents: Effects of ELF Fields on Neural Development and Nerve Regeneration; Electromagnetic Fields and Calcium Efflux; Studies of Plants and Animals Exposed to ELF Electric and Magnetic Fields; Electromagnetic Influences on Birds; A Review of Cell Effects Induced by Exposure of Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Fields; The Effects of ELF Electric and Magnetic Fields on Artificial Cardiac Pacemakers; Behavioral Toxicology of ELF Electric and Magnetic Fields; Electromagnetic Fields and Public Health; Influence of Power Frequency Electric and Magnetic Fields on Human Health; Ecological Effects of Extremely Low Frequency Electric and Magnetic Fields; Reproductive and Developmental Alterations Associated with Exposure of Mammals to ELF (1-300 Hz) Electromagnetic Fields; Behavioral Effects Extremely Low Frequency Electric and Magnetic Fields; Effects of Electromagnetic Fields on Circadian Rhythms; Effects of ELF Electromagnetic Fields on Neuroendocrine Systems; Immunological Effects of Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Fields; Neural Effects of Extremely Low Frequency Fields as a Function of Induced Tissue Current Density; Magnetic and Electromagetic Field Effects on Biological Systems; Effects of Extremely Low Frequency Electric and Magnetic Fields on the Nervous System.
The U.S. Navy established an ecological monitoring program to determine whether electric and magnetic fields from extremely low frequency (ELF) communications systems influenced plant and animal populations near the transmitting facilities. Although some of the researchers believe that a few biological changes might have occurred, they concluded that the results do not indicate significant adverse ecological effects. This book evaluates the 11 ecological studies of the Navy's monitoring program and examines the adequacy of experimental design, the data collection and analysis, and the soundness of the conclusions. It also addresses whether the monitoring program was capable of detecting subtle effects due to ELF exposure and examines the biological changes observed by some program researchers, such as enhanced tree growth.
Can the electric and magnetic fields (EMF) to which people are routinely exposed cause health effects? This volume assesses the data and draws conclusions about the consequences of human exposure to EMF. The committee examines what is known about three kinds of health effects associated with EMF: cancer, primarily childhood leukemia; reproduction and development; and neurobiological effects. This book provides a detailed discussion of hazard identification, dose-response assessment, exposure assessment, and risk characterization for each. Possible Health Effects of Exposure to Residential Electric and Magnetic Fields also discusses the tools available to measure exposure, common types of exposures, and what is known about the effects of exposure. The committee looks at correlations between EMF exposure and carcinogenesis, mutagenesis, neurobehavioral effects, reproductive and developmental effects, effects on melatonin and other neurochemicals, and effects on bone healing and stimulated cell growth.