Proceedings of International Conference on Microwave - 08

Electromagnetic Fields in Environment and Its Health

Hazards
B.K. Singh, R.S. Sharma, R. Ajumeera and A.K. Mathur
Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi-ll0029
Abstract-All alternating electric currents generate electric

and magnetic fields - collectively known as EMFs. The

electric field is proportional to the voltage. The magnetic
field is proportional to the current that is to the amount of
electricity flowing through the wires. Buried power lines
generate lower magnetic fields than overhead power lines
because of their design. The easiest way to reduce
exposure to magnetic fields is to increase the distance from
the source. Power lines include transmission lines and
distribution lines. Use of large scale electrical technologies
has led to widespread environmental exposures to
electromagnetic fields (EMF) over wide frequency range.
Dominant sources of human made fields in the
environment are power lines at extremely low frequencies
and high powered broad cast transmitters at radio
frequencies (RF), but many other sources of EMF exist
that can produce fields in a local environment. Any
substance that damages DNA or chromosomes or change
genetic activity is ge.otoxic including Extremely Low
Frequency (ELF), Medium Wave (MU) and RF. A
genotoxic substance may be mutagenic, carcinogenic and
teratogenic. The effect of large scale electrical technologies
like High Voltage power lines, Radar, Broadcast
transmitters etc. and use of microwave ovens including
other electronic gadgets etc. has been reviewed. The
available data on this aspect is either as a requirement for
Govt. approval or data generated by Govt. agencies
involved with the project developed. There is lack of
authentic scientific data and seen it is difficult to assess the
magnitude of the problem.
I. INTRODUCTION

Use of large scale electrical technologies has led to

widespread environmental exposures to electromagnetic
fields (EMF) over wide frequency range. Dominant
sources of human made fields in the environment are
power lines at extremely low frequencies and high
powered broad cast transmitters at radio frequencies
(RF), but many other sources of EMF exist that can
produce fields in a local environment.
Much of the available data exists on environmental
impact assessments conducted in a requirement for
government approval of projects or conducted by Govt.
agencies involved with project development.
The
scientific research remains very scattered and difficult to
access [1].
All alternating electric currents generate electric
and magnetic fields - collectively known as EMFs. The
electric field is proportional to the voltage.
The
magnetic field is proportional to the current that is to the
amount of electricity flowing through the wires.
Electric fields can be easily shielded but the shielding of
magnetic fields is technically difficult and therefore very
expensive. Buried power lines generate lower magnetic

978-1-4244-2690-4444/08/$25.002008 IEEE

558

fields than overhead power lines because of their design.

The easiest way to reduce exposure to magnetic fields is
to increase the distance from the source. Power lines
include transmission lines and distribution lines.
Transmission lines generate both strong electric fields
and strong magnetic fields. Distribution lines generate
weak electric fields but can generate strong magnetic
fields.
Environmental exposure from major technologies Although all electrical technologies produce
environmental EMF, those operating at high power
levels, produce exceptionally strong fields and thus of
particular interest. These include(A) Undersea Power Cables
They are also called as Sea Cables are widely used
in Europe particularly to transfer power between
Scandinavian countries. Most of these systems operate
at DC with load often exceeding 1000A.
(B) High Voltage Power Lines
High voltage power lines used for long distance
transport of electricity operate at 50 or 60 Hz, although
DC transmission lines exist in some region. Line
voltages range upto 765 KV, although some
experimental lines operate at 1000 KV or higher
(C ) U.s. Navy submarine communications system
A naval ELF communications system located in
Wisconsin and Michigan is noteworthy. The fields
differ from those produced by power lines in these
frequency and modulation characteristics and in the
larger currents flowing through the earth.
(D) Broadcast transmitters Numerous RF transmitters exist in modem society,
some operating at very high power levels.
(E) RadarRadar systems operate over a broad range of
frequencies from 300 mHz to 15 GHz, with output
power ranging from a few mW [Police radar] to KW (air
surveillance systems).
(F) HF Transmitters/or Atomospheric ResearchSeveral high powered (300 KW - 2 MW) RF
transmitters are in use around the world for upper
atmosphere research.
II. BIOLOGICAL INTERACTION MECHANISMS

(a) Membrane excitation and electric shock

Scant data exist for thresholds for electric shock
across a wide range of species but the thresholds for
humans and dogs vary with body size (Rcilly 1998).
(b) Thermal effects
Exposure to high levels of RF energy will result in
thermal damage to tissue (Bums). The threshold for

Proceedings of International Conference on Microwave - 08

such effects depends on the animals thenno regulatory

mechanisms, level of activity, and environmental
conditions, all of which are highly species dependent
(Gorden and Ali 1987; Bennan et aI, 1985).
( c ) Other Non-thermal Mechanisms
A variety of non-thermal mechanisms is well
established by which electric and magnetic fields can
interact with biological structures. These non-thennal
mechanisms generally require very high fields strengths
and are not likely candidates for producing observable
biological effects under most real-world exposure
conditions (Foster, 2000).
III. HEALTH EFFECTS
Human studies have consistently shown that there is
no evidence that prolonged exposure to weak electric
fields results in adverse health effects. However chronic
exposure to weak magnetic fields is equally hannless
remains an open question.
IV. HUMAN STUDIES
To detennine if there is a health risk from some, as
yet, unknown cause science uses the discipline called
epidemiology. Epidemiology is the study of occurrence
and distribution of disease in the population.

(e) It is difficult to find a control group which has the

same mix of characteristics so that confusing
factors do not interfere with the result.
(t) There should be a demonstrable effect. A dose
effect means that as you increase exposure to EMF
the number of cancers increases.
To date all of the epidemiological studies on
exposure to EMF do not meet these criteria.
Therefore
The relative risk ratio for those studies which do
show an association is usually less than 3.
The studies are inconsistent many studies show no
effect.
The health effects vary. Some studies show an
increase in brain cancer while others show an
increase in leukemia
No dose effect has been demonstrated.
The biological mechanism is known for induction
of cancer from exposure to EMF's.
It is for these reasons that the majority of scientists
including Australian radiation health authorities do not
regard chronic exposure to 50 Hz electric and magnetic
fields at the levels commonly found in the environment
as a proven health risk.
VI. RESIDENTIAL EXPOSURES

V. EPIDEMIOLOGY OF CANCER:

IExposure levels around the homes are in the range

of 0.01-0.25 JlT (microtesla = 0.1 - 2.5 mG). For homes
near power lines, these levels may be as high as 0.5 - 1
JlT (5-10mG) Immediately under the power line,
magnetic field levels of 6 - 10 JlT (60 - 100 mG) may
be found.

It is difficult for the following reasons:1. There is a long latency period of 5 to 20 years
between exposure and onset of the disease.
2. Carcinogenic agents are often given a relative risk
ratio. Cigarette smokers for example have 10 to 30
times the risk (relative risk ratio) of contracting
lung cancer or do non smokers.
3. There are many factors which can increase the risk
of cancer. For example poverty, cigarette smoking,
alcohol consumption, life style and age etc.
4. The cause of most cancers is not known. The
occurrence of cancer in an exposed group seems to
be a random process. Not all cigarette smokers get
lung cancer and perhaps that is why people continue
to smoke despite the warnings.

VII. GENOTOXICITY
Substances that damage cellular genetic material,
such as DNA and Chromosome are called genotoxic.
Genotoxic substances cause cancer, reproductive health
effects and neurological damage.
Chromosome
aberrations are visible through powerful microscopes.
Chromosomes are fonned from folded segments of
DNA. Damage to chromosomes is therefore evidence of
damage to DNA. DNA is frequently damaged by
natural processes, such as oxygen free radicals. Free
radicals may be involved in the etiology of cancer and
cardiovascular diseases (Gey, 1993). Enhanced DNA
strand breakage leads to enhanced DNA repair.
Therefore, enhanced DNA repair rates are also used as
evidence of DNA damage (Meltz, 1995).
Many
studies
have
shown
that
radio
frequency/micro waves (RF/mw) radiation and
extremely low frequency (ELF) fields cause increased.
DNA strand breakage and chromosome aberrations.
Many epidemiological studies have shown that people
exposed to electromagnetic radiation (EMR) are likely
to show increased cancer, miscarriage and reproductive
adverse effects (Goldsmith, 1995, 1996, 1997a, 1997b,
Sz migielski (1991, 1996). There is more than sufficient
evidence of chromosome aberrations, DNA strand

For the above reasons, one needs to meet the following

criteria:
(a) A large number of people must be included in the
study (not everyone exposed gets a cancer).
(b) The two groups must be matched in every respect
except exposure to the agent under test (there are
many risk factors for cancer).
(c) The two groups must be monitored for a long time
(long latency period for cancer).
(d) Since cancer incidence is random, a statistical
(mathematical) analysis of the results must be
perfonned. This analysis will result in a relative
risk factor.

559

Proceedings of International Conference on Microwave - 08

breakage altered oncogene actIvIty and neoplastic

transformation if cells to conclude that EMR across the
spectrum from ELF to RF/MW is genotoxic. This is
independently confirmed by the established biological
mechanisms of calcium ion efflux and melatonin
reduction

[7]

[8]

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