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Med. Pr. 2006;57(1):29-39

Biophysical mechanisms of electromagnetic fields interaction and health effects

Biofizyczne mechanizmy działania pól elektromagnetycznych a skutki zdrowotne

Marek Zmyślony Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland

Abstract

The issue of the biological effect of electromagnetic fields (EMF) has been the subject of interest over one hundred years. Experts in this field agree that exposure to EMF at high levels induce adverse health effects, but their opinions vary on the point whether EMF at levels usually present in the municipal environment and at workposts are also harmful. The expressed doubts apply not only to possible health effects, but also to biophysical mechanisms by which those effects occur. The paper presents these controversies. In general opinion there is as yet no conclusive evidence to consider EMF as a factor harmful to health (may be except the relationship between power frequence magnetic field and some neoplastic diseases, especially leukemia in children). It is also unknown which of biophysical mechanisms may be the underlying reason for possible health effects. All these mean that studies in this area should be continued. A large number of single observations sometimes encourage researchers to intensify their investigations.

Key words

EMF, electric field, magnetic field, health effects, mechanisms of interaction