October 2002
The final report of the California Department of Health Services on the risks of EMF exposure has been
released and is available online:
An Evaluation
of the Possible Risks From Electric and Magnetic Fields (EMFs) From Power Lines, Internal Wiring, Electrical
Occupations, and Appliances
This evaluation is based upon the results of published research studies, the NIEHS Working Group Report,
and studies conducted by the California EMF Program. It was prepared by three scientists who work for the
Department of Health Services (DHS). As stated in the report's Executive Summary: "To one degree or another,
all three of the DHS scientists are inclined to believe that EMFs can cause some degree of increased risk of
childhood leukemia, adult brain cancer, Lou Gehrig's Disease, and miscarriage. They strongly believe that
EMFs do not increase the risk of birth defects, or low birth weight. They strongly believe that EMFs
are not universal carcinogens, since there are a number of cancer types that are not associated with EMF exposure."
The conclusions of the California scientists relied more upon studies of human populations and less upon
animal and cell studies than most earlier evaluations.
The types of high EMF exposures implicated in the increased risks identified in the report are produced
by "... unusual configurations of wiring in walls, grounded plumbing, nearby power lines, and exposure from
some jobs in electrical occupations."
While the incidence of most of the conditions identified above is quite low, with or without EMF exposure,
the incidence of miscarriage is already quite high, about 10 in 100 pregnancies. This report speculates that,
based on a limited number of studies, "the theoretical added risk for an EMF-exposed pregnant woman might be
an additional 10 per 100 pregnancies..." This added miscarriage risk was primarily associated with short
duration, high intensity magnetic field exposures.
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June 2001
A panel of scientists convened by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has completed its
review of health effects of static and extremely low frequency (ELF) electric and magnetic fields. The press
release announcing the report states: "Special attention has focussed on leukaemia and on brain tumours, which
early reports had suggested might be increased. IARC has now concluded that ELF magnetic fields are possibly
carcinogenic to humans, based on consistent statistical associations of high level residential magnetic fields
with a doubling of risk of childhood leukaemia." This increased risk was observed at levels above 4.0 milligauss
(0.4 microTesla). The report found no consistent evidence that childhood exposures were associated with brain
tumors, or that adult exposures were associated with cancer of any type.
Static and Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) Electric and Magnetic Fields
This report did not address the health effects of radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic fields. A review of
that issue by IARC is expected when research currently underway has been published, probably in 2005.
June 1999
On June 15, 1999, the long awaited
report of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences was released. This report follows
six years of Congressionally mandated research on the health effects of
electric and magnetic fields. Although it states that "the probability that EMF exposure is
truly a health hazard is currently small," the report also acknowledges
that exposure "cannot be recognized as completely safe." In regard
to childhood leukemia, and in regard to chronic lymphocytic leukemia in
occupationally exposed adults, the NIEHS acknowledged a "fairly consistent
pattern of a small, increased risk with increasing exposure..."
NIEHS Director Kenneth Olden, Ph.D.,
quoted in the press
release, states that "efforts to encourage reductions in exposure
should continue. For example, industry should continue efforts to alter
large transmission lines to reduce their fields and localities should enforce
electrical codes to avoid wiring errors that
can produce higher fields."
One year earlier, a panel of scientists had
met to review the existing research data and provide guidance to the NIEHS
for its upcoming report. In relation to childhood leukemia, the panel concluded
in a 19 to 9 vote that exposure to power frequency magnetic fields should
be regarded as a "possible" carcinogen. The result of their efforts
is known as the Working
Group Report, and offers an excellent and comprehensive review
of EMF health effects research.
