A review of effects of electromagnetic fields on ageing and ageing dependent bioeffects of electromagnetic fields

Thanks to the progress of science and technology, human life expectancy has dramatically increased in the past few decades, but accompanied by rapid ageing of population, resulting in increased burden on society. At the same time, the living environment, especially the electromagnetic environment, has also greatly changed due to science and technology advances. The effect of artificial electromagnetic fields (EMFs) emitted from power lines, mobile phones, wireless equipment, and other devices on ageing and ageing-related diseases are receiving increasing attention. However, the information on the relationship between EMFs and ageing and ageing related susceptibility to EMFs is fragmentary, a review is needed. Only few studies directly investigate the effect of EMFs on ageing, and we reviewed the impact of EMFs on lifespan and cellular senescence to pry whether EMFs have an effect on ageing, and reviewed the age-dependent bioeffects and health impacts of EMFs to see whether ageing would affect biological susceptibility to EMFs. The results indicated that EMFs may have an effect on longevity and cellular senescence, but the results were inconsistent which may depend on EMF types (frequency, intensity, wave shape, etc.), species, and cell lines. Ageing has an impact on the biological or health effects of EMFs; however, the results differ depending on the EMF type and the endpoint or health outcome. Age-dependent changes in free radical metabolism, ion homeostasis, gene expression, enzyme activity, and tissue biophysical properties may be the reason; however, the underlying mechanisms are not fully elucidated.