Health effects of electromagnetic fields on children

Abstract

In today’s world, most children are exposed to various manmade electromagnetic fields (EMFs). EMFs are electromagnetic waves less than 300 GHz. A developing child’s brain is vulnerable to electromagnetic radiation; thus, their caregivers’ concerns about the health effects of EMFs are increasing. EMF exposure is divided into 2 categories: extremely low frequencies (ELFs; 3–3,000 Hz), involving high-voltage transmission lines and in-house wiring; and radiofrequencies (RFs; 30 kHz to 300 GHz), involving mobile phones, smart devices, base stations, WiFi, and 5G technologies. The biological effects of EMFs on humans include stimulation, thermal, and nonthermal, the latter of which is the least known. Among the various health issues related to EMFs, the most important issue is human carcinogenicity. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer’s (IARC’s) evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humans, ELFs and RFs were evaluated as possible human carcinogens (Group 2B). However, the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) view of EMFs remains undetermined. This article reviews the current knowledge of EMF exposure on humans, specifically children. EMF exposure sources, biological effects, current WHO and IARC opinions on carcinogenicity, and effects of EMF exposures on children will be discussed. As well-controlled EMF experiments in children are nearly impossible, scientific knowledge should be interpreted objectively. Precautionary approaches are recommended for children until the potential health effects of EMF are confirmed.

Electromagnetic Field Exposure in Kindergarten Children: Responsive Health Risk Concern

“…EMF emission levels in kindergartens located along the transmission line were found to be lower than those of the international (<2,000 mG) and Korean (<833 mG) guidelines (5,8). According to the WHO research findings, studies had shown that long-term exposure to EMF may be a possible risk factor for childhood leukemia (9).…”

“…They primarily guard against the shortterm health effects of exposure to EMFs. EMFs from power lines, through electric fields induced in the body, may cause significant changes in the biological system (5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11). Kindergartens are considered to be highly exposed, and long-term EMF exposure possibly leads to health risks especially on children from kindergartens (7,(12)(13)(14).…”

“…While most of us over the years have probably heard rumblings of the possibilities of negative health effects attributed to high levels of exposure to EMFs, little definitive word has reached the mainstream stamping it as a legitimate concern. The concern about exposure to EMF has developed because of the number of epidemiological studies ( 5 ). EMF exposure can pose impacts on the public and the environment.…”

Unexpected magnetic attraction: Evidence for an organized energy field in the human body

“…The study was not designed to determine the causes of natural variation of pathologic causes in human energy fields and for these reasons the finding of autoimmune diseases associated with low field scores cannot be confidently concluded but should be studied in future investigations. The study is also limited in that it cannot determine if other environmental exposures have affected the human energetics fields over the past several decades [38][39][40][41].…”

Role of Insulin/Glucagon Ratio and Cell Redox State in the Hyperglycaemia Induced by Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields in Rats.

“…Whenever electrical current ows, both electrical and magnetic elds are generated, which are known as electromagnetic elds (EMFs) [1]. These extremely low-frequency EMFs have a long wavelength and occupy the range between 3 and 300 Hz [2], its exposure might adversely affect the endocrine system and reproductive functions, as well as the fetal development of animals [3].…”