Electromagnetic fields : Their biological effects and regulation

Abstract

Concern over the effects on humans of ELF- (extremely low frequency; less than 300 Hz) electromagnetic fields has rapidly increased in recent years. The effects seem to be related to gene level aberrations such as carcinogenesis and developmental malformations, but it is difficult to obtain experimental evidences on field effects. Several safety guidelines or permissible doses have been proposed for electromagnetic wave, but they mainly cover the range of microwave frequencies. Three of the guidelines made in 1989–1990 included ELF-electromagnetic fields and two newly approved guidelines on power-frequency electromagnetic fields appeared in 1990. However, they adopted considerably different values based on different theoretical standpoints. Generally, the concept of electromagnetic fields appears to be confused with that of magnetic field and thus the ideas for protective measures conflict between the two. The author first presented the concepts of electromagnetic and magnetic fields, then briefly discussed their biological effects together with the underlying mechanism, and lastly described these drafts on safety standards or permissible doses. Since subtle and difficult problems remain to be resolved, further investigation will be required in order to put these guidelines into practice. © 1991, Japan Society for Occupational Health. All rights reserved.