‘Non-ionizing radiation emitted by high voltage power lines, power cords and electric blankets known as extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) could increase leukemia risk in mice, according to a new review published in Progress in Biophysics and Molecular Biology.

In short:

• While exposure to ELF-MF did not not impact rodents’ odds of developing lymphoma, brain cancer or breast cancer, it did increase leukemia risk in mice.
• These findings also suggest that ELF-MF exposure could damage the DNA of certain cell types, including brain cells, in rodents.
• Studies on children, including research conducted by the authors of this review, have repeatedly linked ELF-MF exposure to an increased risk for childhood leukemia, an association which led the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer to classify ELF-MF as a “possible” carcinogen in 2001.

Key quote:

“All residential areas are affected by ELF-MF at least to some degree, which means that virtually all humans are exposed to these electromagnetic waves.”

Why this matters:

Exposure to ELF-MF is ubiquitous and increasing in our modern environment. Numerous countries have policies to reduce ELF-MF in homes and schools so exposure levels are below those associated with childhood cancer. However, the US has no safety limits for this type of electromagnetic radiation because the EPA was defunded from this research in the early 90s. Meanwhile, experts have raised concerns about industry’s significant influence through funding research in this area, and emphasize the need for regulations that are based on comprehensive, unbiased science in order to ensure public safety.

Related EHN coverage:

• New study finds chromosomal changes in residents living near cell phone towers
• Regulations on radiation exposure remain unchanged for decades

Full article here: Effects of extremely low frequency magnetic fields on animal cancer and DNA damage: A systematic review and meta-analysis