Modified Health Effects of Non-ionizing Electromagnetic Radiation Combined with Other Agents Reported in the Biomedical Literature

Abstract

Ionizing and non-ionizing electromagnetic field (EMF) radiation, either stand-alone or in combination with other agents, exert health effects on biological systems. The present chapter examines the scope of non-ionizing EMF radiation combined effects; i.e., identifies effects on biological systems from combined exposure to non-ionizing electromagnetic fields/radiation and at least one other agent. Only articles in which the presence of non-ionizing EMF radiation had some effect (beneficial or adverse) on the biological system were selected. A comprehensive and novel query was developed using an iterative hybrid approach, whereby articles related by common text and by citation linkages were retrieved. This retrieved literature was: (1) clustered algorithmically into 32 biomedical sub-themes (assigned by the authors); (2) grouped through factor analysis into 32 factors; and (3) subsequently grouped manually (by the authors) into an effects-based taxonomy. The common principles within each thematic cluster/ group that accounted for the combined effects were identified. Non-ionizing EMF radiation plays a supportive role in a wide range of beneficial and adverse effects. Major beneficial effects include (1) accelerated healing of wounds and injuries in concert with other agents and (2) treatment of cancer by combining chemotherapy with radiation. Major adverse effects, on the other hand, include (1) enhanced carcinogenesis, (2) enhanced cellular or genetic mutations, and (3) teratogenicity. It should be noted that community consensus (unanimity among papers published in peer-reviewed journals) does not exist on these potential effects, either beneficial or adverse, although there is substantial credible scientific evidence supporting the above effects (as described in this chapter).