Questions and Answers About EMF Electric and Magnetic Fields Associated with the Use of Electrical Power.
January 1995.

Biological Studies

Q. What effects of EMFs have been reported in laboratory studies?

A. Several kinds of biological effects have been reported in studies of electric and/or magnetic fields (see below). A biological effect is a measurable change in some biological factor. It may or may not have any bearing on health. Overall, effects attributed to EMFs have been small and difficult to reproduce. Very specific laboratory conditions are usually needed for effects of EMFs to be detected. It is not known how EMFs actually cause these effects.

Laboratory studies to date have not answered questions about possible human health effects. These studies are, however, providing clues about how EMFs interact with basic biological processes. The cell membrane may be an important site of interaction with induced currents from EMFs.

Keep in mind that some of these effects are within the "normal" range of variation. A biological response to a particular stimulus does not necessarily result in a negative health effect.

EFFECTS OF 60-Hz EMFs REPORTED IN SOME LABORATORY STUDIES

• Changes in functions of cells and tissues
• Decrease in the hormone melatonin
• Alterations of immune system
• Accelerated tumor growth
• Changes in biorhythms
• Changes in human brain activity and heart rate