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Are Low-Level Electromagnetic Fields Harmful to Humans?

EMFs, or radiofrequency electromagnetic fields, constitute a form of radiation. They are associated with the use of electronic devices, such as cellphones, microwaves, televisions, etc.

When the body is exposed to EMFs, a part of it is reflected away. However, another part is also absorbed by it. These EMFs can alter the cells in different ways, and possibly cause harm. However, data is still inconclusive on the health effects of EMFs on the body, as additional research is needed. From the data that has been collected, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified RF-EMFs as possibly carcinogenic to humans and warns of the danger of EMF exposure.

Here, we’ll explore the cellular changes associated with EMF exposure, review what research says on EMFs, get an overview of the perspectives of some major organizations on the subject, and reflect on ways we can reduce our exposure to EMFs. (Don’t worry, I won’t suggest you stop using electric devices altogether, or move away from civilization to get shielded from those EMFs).

Effects of EMF exposure on the body

The effects of EMF exposure on the body can be classified into thermal and non-thermal effects.

Thermal effects

A portion of the EMF energy is converted into kinetic energy, which is the energy of motion. This kinetic energy is in turn converted to heat. Now you know why your charger sometimes heats up after being used for a while. This heat can increase the temperature of the brain or organs in the body. It should be noted that the normal body core temperature is 37 degrees Celsius. A variation in the body temperature, even by only more than 1 degree Celsius, can have a variety of harmful health effects. To give you an idea, an increase in only 1 degree is considered as fever. Furthermore, a body core temperature of >40°C can lead to a heat stroke, which can be fatal.

Non-thermal effects

  • Increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS)
    • EMFs can increase ROS levels, which can be toxic to cells. Increased ROS levels have been linked to multiple chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, or Alzheimer’s, lead to tissue injuries in the heart, the retina, and the nervous system.
  • Nerve stimulation
    • At lower frequencies (below 10 MHs), EMFs can stimulate and even damage nerves.
  • Changes in the permeability of the membranes
    • Low-frequency EMFs can alter the permeability of the membranes of the cells. If this results in a permanent change, it can disrupt the normal functioning of the membranes. For example, dysfunction of the blood-brain barrier, which protects the brain from the entrance of multiple toxins, may lead to excess accumulation of heavy metals and specifically of iron in the brain. This in turn results in neurological decline and increases the risk of several neurodegenerative diseases.

What research says

Generally speaking, there is still a lack of data on the effects of EMFs on humans. The majority of the studies that have been conducted were performed using cells or animal models. It is also difficult to assess whether the health risks that were identified were caused by EMFs or other factors. Furthermore, most of the studies used very low exposures of EMFs, with little research on the thresholds of ‘safe’ exposition to EMFs. Finally, the increased use of technology is very recent, thus it is very difficult to determine the effects of long-term exposure to low EMF levels.

With that in mind, here are some of the consequences of EMFs reported in the literature:

  • Alteration of the human body’s circadian rhythms, immune system, and the nature of the electrical and chemical signals in the cells.
  • Decreased proliferation and increased senescence (loss of a cell’s power of division and growth) due to the increase in ROS in human cells.
  • A variety of neurological abnormalities and side effects, including headaches, changes in EEG, tremor, dizziness, memory loss, and loss of concentration.
  • Effects on behavior and spermatozoa (without an effect on male fertility, however).
  • Cancer:
    • Increased risk for glioma, a malignant type of brain cancer, associated with wireless phone use.
    • A systematic review of 33 articles published in 2021 found a significant association between exposure to EMFs and childhood leukemia.

What organizations say

  • In 2002, as previously mentioned, the WHO/International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified EMFs as possibly carcinogenic to humans and warms the danger of EMF exposure. No update has been made.
  • In 2015, the European Commission Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks reviewed electromagnetic fields. It found that, overall, epidemiologic studies of extremely low-frequency fields show an increased risk of childhood leukemia. Also, did not report an increased risk of brain tumors or other cancers of the head and neck region, although the possibility of an association with acoustic neuroma remains open.
  • Health Canada: ‘There are no health risks from exposure to radiofrequency EMF from Wi-Fi devices in your home, in schools or other areas accessible to the public […] Based on the current scientific evidence the level of radiofrequency EMF emitted from Wi-Fi devices is not harmful to health.’
  • FDA: ‘[…] the weight of scientific evidence has not linked exposure to radio frequency energy from cell phone use with any health problems at or below the radio frequency exposure limits set by the FCC.’

What we can do to reduce our exposure to EMFs

As we cannot rule out an association between EMFs and health-related adverse effects, it is recommended to take precautionary measures when using wireless devices. I would also advise against young children using wireless devices or at the very least taking additional precautions since their brains and bodies are not fully developed yet :

  • Reduce the amount of time spent using wireless devices.
  • When talking on the phone, use earbuds or the speaker function instead of talking directly through the phone.
  • When possible, turn on the airplane mode on your cellphone.
  • Turn off your wireless devices before going to bed or keep them away from your bedroom.
  • Turn off WiFi before going to bed.
    • I suggest using the gosund device to automatically set up the hours when you want the wifi to be disabled: Purchase on amazon. You can also use it to remotely control your devices. For example, if you need to travel but want to trick others into thinking that you’re still at home to avoid burglary, you can turn on the lights of your bedroom at home from your hotel.
  • Text rather than talk on the phone.
  • Don’t stand near appliances, like microwaves.
  • Limit the duration of your calls.
  • Limit your time in the sun.
  • Limit time in tanning beds.
  • Use a physical alarm clock to wake yourself up in the morning rather than your cellphone.

References

  • Choi, J., Min, K., Jeon, S. et al. Continuous Exposure to 1.7 GHz LTE Electromagnetic Fields Increases Intracellular Reactive Oxygen Species to Decrease Human Cell Proliferation and Induce Senescence. Sci Rep 10, 9238 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-65732-4
  • International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP)1 Guidelines for Limiting Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields (100 kHz to 300 GHz), Health Physics: May 2020 – Volume 118 – Issue 5 – p 483-524 doi: 10.1097/HP.0000000000001210

J Microsc Ultrastruct. 2017 Oct-Dec; 5(4): 167–176. Published online 2017 Aug 2. doi: 10.1016/j.jmau.2017.07.003