ABSTRACT
CONTENTS 6.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 228 6.2 Leukemia............................................................................................................................ 229
6.2.1 Background............................................................................................................ 229 6.2.2 Childhood Leukemia ........................................................................................... 229
6.2.2.1 Residential Exposures........................................................................... 229 6.2.2.2 Electric Appliance Exposure................................................................ 233 6.2.2.3 Parental Exposure ................................................................................. 234
6.2.3 Adult Leukemia.................................................................................................... 234 6.2.3.1 Residential Exposures........................................................................... 234 6.2.3.2 Electric Appliance Exposure................................................................ 234 6.2.3.3 Occupational Studies ............................................................................ 234
6.2.4 Summary................................................................................................................ 235 6.3 Brain Cancer ...................................................................................................................... 235
6.3.1 Background............................................................................................................ 235 6.3.2 Childhood Brain Cancer...................................................................................... 235
6.3.2.1 Residential Exposures........................................................................... 235 6.3.2.2 Electric Appliance Exposure................................................................ 237 6.3.2.3 Parental Exposure ................................................................................. 237
6.3.3 Adult Brain Cancer .............................................................................................. 237 6.3.3.1 Residential Exposures........................................................................... 237 6.3.3.2 Occupational Studies ............................................................................ 238
6.3.4 Summary................................................................................................................ 238 6.4 Breast Cancer..................................................................................................................... 238
6.4.1 Background............................................................................................................ 238 6.4.2 Female Breast Cancer........................................................................................... 239
6.4.2.1 Residential Exposures........................................................................... 239 6.4.2.2 Electric Blankets..................................................................................... 239 6.4.2.3 Occupational Studies ............................................................................ 239
6.4.3 Male Breast Cancer............................................................................................... 240 6.4.3.1 Occupational Studies ............................................................................ 240
6.4.4 Summary................................................................................................................ 240 6.5 Lung Cancer ...................................................................................................................... 240 6.6 Other Cancers.................................................................................................................... 241 6.7 Reproductive Outcomes .................................................................................................. 241
6.7.1 Maternal Exposure ............................................................................................... 241
6.7.1.1 Video Display Terminals .................................................................. 241 6.7.1.2 Electric Blankets and Heated Beds.................................................. 241 6.7.1.3 Residential and Occupational Exposure ........................................ 241
6.7.2 Paternal Exposure ............................................................................................. 245 6.8 Cardiovascular Disease .................................................................................................. 245 6.9 Neurodegenerative Disease........................................................................................... 246
6.9.1 Alzheimer’s Disease ......................................................................................... 246 6.9.2 Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis........................................................................ 246 6.9.3 Parkinson’s Disease and Other Neurodegenerative Diseases................... 249
6.10 Depression and Suicide.................................................................................................. 251 6.10.1 Depression.......................................................................................................... 251 6.10.2 Suicide................................................................................................................. 251
6.11 Discussion......................................................................................................................... 251 6.11.1 Challenges .......................................................................................................... 251 6.11.2 Outcome ............................................................................................................. 251 6.11.3 Exposure............................................................................................................. 254 6.11.4 Interpretation ..................................................................................................... 254
6.12 Conclusions ...................................................................................................................... 255 References ................................................................................................................................... 255
Given the ubiquitous nature of extremely low-frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields (EMFs), there is concern regarding their potential to adversely affect the health. Numerous health effects have been studied in relation to the EMF exposure: cancer, reproductive disorders, as well as neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases. Cancer, especially childhood cancer, has received the most attention.
