scholarly journals Case-Control Study on Occupational Exposure to Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields and the Association with Meningioma

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Carlberg ◽  
Tarmo Koppel ◽  
Mikko Ahonen ◽  
Lennart Hardell
Keyword(s):  
Electromagnetic Fields ◽  
Childhood Leukemia ◽  
Linear Trend ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Cumulative Exposure ◽  
International Agency ◽  
Case Control Studies ◽  
Extremely Low Frequency ◽  
Increased Risk

Objective. Exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) was in 2002 classified as a possible human carcinogen, Group 2B, by the International Agency for Research on Cancer at WHO based on an increased risk for childhood leukemia. In case-control studies on brain tumors during 1997–2003 and 2007–2009 we assessed lifetime occupations in addition to exposure to different agents. The INTEROCC ELF-EMF Job-Exposure Matrix was used for associating occupations with ELF-EMF exposure (μT) with meningioma. Cumulative exposure (μT-years), average exposure (μT), and maximum exposed job (μT) were calculated. Results. No increased risk for meningioma was found in any category. For cumulative exposure in the highest exposure category 8.52+ μT years odds ratio (OR) = 0.9, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.7–1.2, and p linear trend = 0.45 were calculated. No statistically significant risks were found in different time windows. Conclusion. In conclusion occupational ELF-EMF was not associated with an increased risk for meningioma.

scholarly journals Electromagnetic Fields, Oxidative Stress, and Neurodegeneration

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Consales ◽  
Caterina Merla ◽  
Carmela Marino ◽  
Barbara Benassi
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Electromagnetic Fields ◽  
Childhood Leukemia ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Data Uncertainty ◽  
International Agency ◽  
Neuroprotective Effects ◽  
Great Debate ◽  
Increased Risk

Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) originating both from both natural and manmade sources permeate our environment. As people are continuously exposed to EMFs in everyday life, it is a matter of great debate whether they can be harmful to human health. On the basis of two decades of epidemiological studies, an increased risk for childhood leukemia associated with Extremely Low Frequency fields has been consistently assessed, inducing the International Agency for Research on Cancer to insert them in the 2B section of carcinogens in 2001. EMFs interaction with biological systems may cause oxidative stress under certain circumstances. Since free radicals are essential for brain physiological processes and pathological degeneration, research focusing on the possible influence of the EMFs-driven oxidative stress is still in progress, especially in the light of recent studies suggesting that EMFs may contribute to the etiology of neurodegenerative disorders. This review synthesizes the emerging evidences about this topic, highlighting the wide data uncertainty that still characterizes the EMFs effect on oxidative stress modulation, as both pro-oxidant and neuroprotective effects have been documented. Care should be taken to avoid methodological limitations and to determine the patho-physiological relevance of any alteration found in EMFs-exposed biological system.

Maternal cumulative exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields, prematurity and small for gestational age: a pooled analysis of two birth cohorts

2019 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucile Migault ◽  
Ronan Garlantézec ◽  
Clément Piel ◽  
Laetitia Marchand-Martin ◽  
Sébastien Orazio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electromagnetic Fields ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Small For Gestational Age ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Pooled Analysis ◽  
Cumulative Exposure ◽  
Birth Cohorts ◽  
Extremely Low Frequency ◽  
Increased Risk

BackgroundData on the effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) on pregnancy outcomes are inconclusive.ObjectiveTo study the relation between maternal cumulative exposure to ELF-EMF during pregnancy and the risk of prematurity or small for gestational age (SGA) in a pooled analysis of two French birth cohorts.MethodsElfe and Epipage2 are both population-based birth cohorts initiated in 2011 and included 18 329 and 8400 births, respectively. Health data and household, mother and child characteristics were obtained from medical records and questionnaires at maternity and during follow-up. A job exposure matrix was used to assess cumulative exposure to ELF-EMF during three periods: (1) until 15 weeks of gestation, (2) until 28 weeks of gestation and (3) until 32 weeks of gestation. Analyses were restricted to single live births in mainland France and to mothers with documented jobs (N=19 894). Adjusted logistic regression models were used.ResultsAccording to the period studied, 3.2%–4% of mothers were classified as highly exposed. Results were heterogeneous. Increased risks of prematurity were found among low exposed mothers for the three periods, and no association was observed among the most exposed (OR1=0.92 (95% CI 0.74 to 1.15); OR2=0.98 (95% CI 0.80 to 1.21); OR3=1.14 (95% CI 0.92 to 1.41)). For SGA, no association was observed with the exception of increased risk among the low exposed mothers in period 2 and the most exposed in period 3 (OR=1.25 (95% CI 1.02 to 1.53)).ConclusionSome heterogeneous associations between ELF-EMF exposure and prematurity and SGA were observed. However, due to heterogeneity (ie, their independence regarding the level of exposure), associations cannot be definitely explained by ELF-EMF exposure.

scholarly journals O1B.6 Maternal cumulative exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields, prematurity and bith weight: a pooled analysis of two birth cohorts

2019 ◽  
Vol 76 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. A6.2-A6
Author(s):  
Lucile Migault ◽  
Ronan Garlantezec ◽  
Clément Piel ◽  
Laetitia Marchand-Martin ◽  
Sébastien Orazio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electromagnetic Fields ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Small For Gestational Age ◽  
Statistical Power ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Pooled Analysis ◽  
Cumulative Exposure ◽  
Birth Cohorts ◽  
Extremely Low Frequency ◽  
Increased Risk

BackgroundData on the effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) on pregnancy outcomes are inconclusive.ObjectivesTo study the relation between maternal cumulative exposure to ELF-EMF during pregnancy and the risk of prematurity or small for gestational age in a pooled analysis of two French birth cohorts.MethodsElfe and Epipage2 are both population-based birth cohorts initiated in 2011 and included 18 329 and 8400 births respectively. Health data and household, mother and child characteristics were obtained from medical records, by face-to-face interview at maternity, and completed during follow-up. A recently updated job-exposure-matrix (JEM) was used to assess cumulative exposure to ELF-EMF during three periods: 1) until 15, 2) until 28 and 3) until 32 weeks of gestation. Analyses were restricted to single live births in mainland France and to mothers with documented jobs (n=19,894). Differences in selection frame between the two cohorts were controlled using a propensity score weighting method. We used multiple imputation method to deal with missing data. Logistic regression models adjusted for the main potential confounders were used.ResultsAccording to the period studied, 3.2% to 4% of mothers were classified as highly exposed to ELF-EMF. An increased risk of spontaneous prematurity was observed among the most exposed groups in period 2 and period 3. Overall, no consistent association with small for gestational age was found.ConclusionThis study, with substantial statistical power provides evidence of a possible association between cumulative exposure to ELF-EMF during pregnancy and the risk of spontaneous prematurity.

scholarly journals Induction of Cell Activation Processes by Low Frequency Electromagnetic Fields

2004 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 4-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Myrtill Simkó
Keyword(s):  
Electromagnetic Fields ◽  
Cellular Response ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Childhood Leukemia ◽  
Mechanistic Model ◽  
Cell Cycle Control ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Cellular Systems ◽  
Increased Risk

Electromagnetic fields (EMF) such as those from electric power transmission and distribution lines (50/60 Hz) have been associated with increased risk of childhood leukemia, cancer of the nervous system, and lymphomas. Severalin vitrostudies on EMF effects were performed to clarify the existing controversies, define the risks, and determine the possible mechanisms of adverse effects. In some of these reports, the effects were related to other mechanisms of carcinogenesis. Modification in cell proliferation was observed after EMF exposure and a few reports on cytotoxic effects have also been published. This limited review gives an overview of the current results of scientific research regardingin vitrostudies on the effects of power line frequency EMF, but also cell biological mechanisms and their potential involvement in genotoxicity and cytotoxicity are discussed. Cell cycle control and signal transduction processes are included to elucidate the biochemical background of possible interactions. Exposure to EMF has been also linked to the incidence of leukemia and other tumors in some epidemiological studies and is considered as “possibly carcinogenic to humans”, but there is no well-established biological mechanism that explains such a relation. Furthermore, EMF is also shown as a stimulus for immune relevant cells (e.g., macrophages) to release free radicals. It is known that chronic activation of macrophages is associated with the onset of phagocytosis and leads to increased formation of reactive oxygen species, which themselves may cause DNA damage and are suggested to lead to carcinogenesis. To demonstrate a possible interaction between EMF and cellular systems, we present a mechanistic model describing cell activation as a major importance for cellular response.

scholarly journals A Plausible Biological Mechanism by which Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields Increase the Risk of Childhood Leukemia

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel López-Lázaro
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Electromagnetic Fields ◽  
Childhood Leukemia ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Extremely Low Frequency ◽  
Dna Alterations ◽  
Risk Of Cancer

Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) are non-ionizing radiations typically emitted by power lines, electrical wiring and electrical appliances. Epidemiological studies have repeatedly shown a positive association between ELF-EMFs and childhood leukemia. Exposures greater than 0.3-0.4 µT increase the risk by approximately 1.5-2 fold, and estimates indicate that up to 2% of childhood leukemia cases in Europe may be attributable to ELF-EMFs. However, it is considered unlikely that ELF-EMFs can cause cancer, because carcinogenesis requires the accumulation of DNA alterations and ELF-EMFs do not have enough energy to damage the DNA. Lack of biological plausibility is a barrier to accept the evidence of carcinogenicity in human studies and to take measures to protect pregnant women and children from ELF-EMFs. Recent evidence indicates that non-mutagenic agents can cause DNA alterations and increase the risk of cancer by promoting the accumulation of cell divisions in stem cells. Cell division generates DNA alterations (e.g., mutations arising during DNA replication), which occur even in the absence of DNA-damaging agents. Importantly, ELF-EMFs can trigger the division of stem cells; this effect is under development in the field of regenerative medicine. A possible mechanism by which ELF-EMFs induce the malignant transformation of hematopoietic stem cells is discussed.

scholarly journals Cellular Phone Use and Risk of Tumors: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (21) ◽  
pp. 8079
Author(s):  
Yoon-Jung Choi ◽  
Joel M. Moskowitz ◽  
Seung-Kwon Myung ◽  
Yi-Ryoung Lee ◽  
Yun-Chul Hong
Keyword(s):  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Harmful Effect ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Cellular Phone ◽  
Case Control ◽  
International Agency ◽  
Case Control Studies ◽  
Significant Positive Association ◽  
Tumor Risk ◽  
Increased Risk

We investigated whether cellular phone use was associated with increased risk of tumors using a meta-analysis of case-control studies. PubMed and EMBASE were searched from inception to July 2018. The primary outcome was the risk of tumors by cellular phone use, which was measured by pooling each odds ratio (OR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI). In a meta-analysis of 46 case-control studies, compared with never or rarely having used a cellular phone, regular use was not associated with tumor risk in the random-effects meta-analysis. However, in the subgroup meta-analysis by research group, there was a statistically significant positive association (harmful effect) in the Hardell et al. studies (OR, 1.15—95% CI, 1.00 to 1.33— n = 10), a statistically significant negative association (beneficial effect) in the INTERPHONE-related studies (case-control studies from 13 countries coordinated by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC); (OR, 0.81—95% CI, 0.75 to 0.89—n = 9), and no statistically significant association in other research groups’ studies. Further, cellular phone use with cumulative call time more than 1000 h statistically significantly increased the risk of tumors. This comprehensive meta-analysis of case-control studies found evidence that linked cellular phone use to increased tumor risk.

Adverse cardiovascular events associated with triptans and ergotamines for treatment of migraine: Systematic review of observational studies

Cephalalgia ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 118-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Roberto ◽  
E Raschi ◽  
C Piccinni ◽  
V Conti ◽  
L Vignatelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Observational Studies ◽  
Stroke Risk ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Case Control Studies ◽  
Safety Issues ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Ischemic Events

Background Apart from the underlying cardiovascular (CV) risk associated with migraine, both triptans and ergotamines can induce vasoconstriction and potentially increase the risk of serious ischemic events. Because of the low frequency of such events in eligible patients, randomized controlled trials are not exhaustive to assess the drug-related CV risk. Observational studies are, therefore, an essential source of information to clarify this matter of concern. Aim The aim of this study was to systematically review the available published observational studies investigating the risk of serious CV events in triptan or ergotamine users, as compared to unexposed migraineur controls. Methods We systematically searched MEDLINE and EMBASE electronic databases for cohort or case-control studies up to December 1, 2013. Studies retrieved from CDSR, DARE and HTA databases of the Cochrane Library were used for snowballing. Studies investigating the risk of any CV outcome in patients with a migraine diagnosis and exposed to triptans or ergotamines were considered for inclusion. Selection of studies, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment were conducted independently by two reviewers. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were computed using a random-effects model for studies and outcomes judged eligible for quantitative data synthesis. Results From a total of 3370 citations retrieved, after duplicate removal and screening, only four studies met the inclusion criteria (three nested case-control analyses and one retrospective cohort study). These studies investigated the risk of different CV outcomes associated with either the recency or the intensity of exposure to the studied drugs. As for the intensity of use, the pooled OR of serious ischemic events was 2.28 (95% CI 1.18–4.41; I2 = 0%) for ergotamine use (two studies), whereas for triptans (three studies) it was 0.86 (95% CI 0.52–1.43; I2 = 24.5%). Recent use of ergotamines was not significantly associated with any CV outcome (only one available study). Two studies investigated the risk of stroke related to recent triptan use: the first study reported an OR of 0.90 (0.64–1.26), and the second one suggested an increased risk of 2.51 (1.10–5.71). In this case, because of the high degree of heterogeneity, results were not pooled. Conclusions To date, few comparative observational studies have investigated the CV safety of migraine-specific drugs in clinical practice. Evidence gathered here suggests that intense consumption of ergotamines may be associated with an increased risk of serious ischemic complications. As for triptans, available studies do not suggest strong CV safety issues, although no firm conclusions can be drawn. In particular, evidence on stroke risk is conflicting. However, if an increase of the absolute stroke risk in recently exposed patients does actually exist, it must be small. Overall, residual uncontrolled confounding factors reduce the confidence in the risk estimates collected from the included studies. Further investigations are needed to better define the risk for rare but serious CV events related to triptan and ergotamine use for treatment of migraine.

scholarly journals Manmade Electromagnetic Fields and Oxidative Stress—Biological Effects and Consequences for Health

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (7) ◽  
pp. 3772
Author(s):  
David Schuermann ◽  
Meike Mevissen
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Electromagnetic Fields ◽  
Communication Systems ◽  
Genome Stability ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
International Agency ◽  
Extremely Low Frequency

Concomitant with the ever-expanding use of electrical appliances and mobile communication systems, public and occupational exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) in the extremely-low-frequency and radiofrequency range has become a widely debated environmental risk factor for health. Radiofrequency (RF) EMF and extremely-low-frequency (ELF) MF have been classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), potentially leading to cellular or systemic oxidative stress, was frequently found to be influenced by EMF exposure in animals and cells. In this review, we summarize key experimental findings on oxidative stress related to EMF exposure from animal and cell studies of the last decade. The observations are discussed in the context of molecular mechanisms and functionalities relevant to health such as neurological function, genome stability, immune response, and reproduction. Most animal and many cell studies showed increased oxidative stress caused by RF-EMF and ELF-MF. In order to estimate the risk for human health by manmade exposure, experimental studies in humans and epidemiological studies need to be considered as well.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document